Innovative PO shrink sleeve film label from UPM Raflatac demonstrated to significantly boost recycling rates

Mon, Feb 01, 2016 14:00 CET

Results from test conducted with Plastics Forming Enterprises to be presented at the Association of Plastic Recyclers Technical Forum

(UPM Raflatac, Mills River, USA, February 1, 2016, at 3:00 PM EET) - UPM Raflatac will present the results of a full-body shrink sleeve label recycling study, featuring the company's new RafShrink PO MDO 40 HS product, at the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Technical Forum in New Orleans, Louisiana, today. The study, conducted with Plastic Forming Enterprises, will demonstrate that RafShrink, a polyolefin-based, roll-fed shrink film label provides significant recyclability gains over PETG labels, currently the industry-standard film label for shrink sleeve applications, when used with clear PET bottles.

With their ability to provide a 360-degree product presentation, shrink sleeve films are one of the fastest growing label segments, growing at 5.5% CAGR and expected to reach 12,750 million square meters in sales in 2018, according to AWA Alexander Watson Associates. However, global brand owners are actively seeking ways to increase the recyclability of shrink sleeved PET containers to reduce their environmental footprint.

RafShrink PO MDO 40 HS provides superior branding on complex container shapes due to its high MDO shrinkage of 61% at 95°C and its best-in-class haze at 3%, high clarity and gloss. The shrink film also can be applied at high speeds, labeling more than 50,000 containers per hour. During the recycling process, the polyolefin material ensures clean separation from clear PET bottles by floating to the top of the caustic washing solution, unlike PVC and PETG labels, which sink with PET bottle material. RafShrink PO MDO 40 HS meets the Critical Guidance by Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and by European Plastic Bottle Platform (EPBP).

"We are proud to offer a polyolefin-based shrink sleeve film, RafShrink PO MDO 40 HS, for the food and beverage market. RafShrink meets global manufacturers' exacting requirements for a lightweighted full-body shrink sleeve solution that delivers exceptional branding, productivity and sustainability," says Markus Kivelä, Product Manager, Shrink Sleeve Films, UPM Raflatac.

The research study tested RafShrink PO against PETG labels on clear and colored PET bottles and other packaging materials. RafShrink PO labels provided average detection rates of 92% versus 40% for PETG sleeve labels when tested at six leading near infrared (NIR) equipment manufacturers. The study shows that clear PET bottles can be detected by NIR sorting equipment even when covered with a full-body PO-based shrink sleeve. As a result, brand owners who use RafShrink PO MDO 40 HS can significantly improve the PET packaging recyclability rates, while ensuring that the recycled clear PET containers continue to provide the outstanding clarity and quality they require for reuse on global food and beverage products.

Markus Kivelä and Kristina Hansen, Technical Director, Plastics Forming Enterprises will co-present study results at the APR panel, "Steps to Improve Bale Quality," from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM EST on Monday, February 1, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in Celestin Ballroom A-C. The session is open to the media.

For further information, please contact:
Markus Kivelä, Product Manager, Shrink Sleeve Films, UPM Raflatac, tel. +358 40 84 22 474, markus.kivela@upmraflatac.com

High resolution product image can be downloaded at http://pet.upm.com/?cart=10323-idfjaeelal&l=EN

UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac is one of the world's leading producers of self-adhesive and shrink sleeve label materials. We supply high-quality paper and film label stock for consumer product and industrial labelling through a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. We employ around 2,800 people and made sales of USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.2 billion) in 2014. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM - The Biofore Company.

UPM Raflatac is well-known for its dual commitment to label innovation and sustainability. Parent company UPM has been acknowledged as a sustainability leader by such organizations as Corporate Knights, RobecoSAM, the United Nations Global Compact LEAD, and the World Wide Fund for Nature, among others. Find out more at www.upmraflatac.com.

UPM
Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The group employs around 20,000 people and its annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com

Innovative PO shrink sleeve film label from UPM Raflatac demonstrated to significantly boost recycling rates

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