UPM Raflatac has announced the launch of its innovative material New Wave paper labels compatible with recycling. Is the first RecyClass certified paper label material which obtains a Compatibility Letter for use in rigid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) containers. Test results confirm compatibility even with natural, white material streams, which require the highest recycling purity from recycling processes. This new label material represents a major step forward in the recycling of rigid plastic packaging, helping brand owners continue to move towards improved circularity. At the moment, New Wave is the only RecyClass recognized label solution for white and natural HDPE and PP rigid material streams.
New Wave label material is designed to provide functionality throughout the life cycle of products, primarily household and personal care products such as soap bottles or laundry detergent containers. Supports the purity of recycled materials by washing cleanly at just 40°C under running water without the need for chemicals. Available now to EMEIA customers, followed by the Asian market, New Wave label material has been tested to perform without fiber loss in the recycling process, helping to prevent contamination in material streams. This ensures that the resulting recycled material can be reused in new packaging without compromising quality and gives producers more options when using label materials from a renewable source.
With the introduction of New Wave paper label material, brands can now obtain certification for final packaging with RecyClass certified New Wave label material. This Compatibility Letter confirms that the label material is compatible with recycling technologies used on an industrial scale.
“When brands choose New Wave Label material for their HDPE or PP rigid packaging, they can make the entire package eligible for RecyClass certification. “Brand owners will not have to further test packaging if all packaging components have a compatibility letter, a technology approval letter or if the material choice meets RecyClass design for recycling guidelines,” it says. Robert Taylor, Director of Sustainability at UPM Raflatac.
“This launch marks significant progress in our efforts to improve the circularity of plastic packaging,” states Sylwia Jurys, vice president of paper laminates at UPM Raflatac. “As regulations such as the European Packaging and Container Water Regulation (PPWR) continue to evolve, we have worked with RecyClass to provide a solution that not only meets strict recycling criteria but also sets a new standard for sustainable packaging. “We are proud to lead the way in recyclable packaging solutions, helping brand owners meet their sustainability goals and close the loop to support a circular packaging economy.”
UPM Raflatac's continued commitment to sustainability is realized through the company's ambition Beyond Fossils.
