UPM Raflatac introduces front-running labeling solutions for the Americas pharmaceutical and healthcare markets

(UPM Raflatac, Mills River, NC, USA, March 23, 2016 at 17:00 EET) - UPM Raflatac announces the launch of a renewed product portfolio for pharmaceutical, healthcare and laboratory applications in the Americas. These guaranteed, globally-available materials are based on decades of R&D and are designed to excel in even the most demanding environments, including pharmaceutical packaging, vials and test tubes, blood bags, cold and cryogenic storage - and more.

New products in UPM Raflatac's extended portfolio include the latest high-performance solutions for primary blood bag labeling and a unique material for labeling sterilization wraps for surgical instruments in hospitals. And the addition of a destructible, non-reusable label face adds a second layer of security to an anti-counterfeiting range for compliance with the Falsified Medicines Directive.

Blood bags, migration safety and low-temperature storage

Following an extensive, standards-compliant product development process, UPM Raflatac has produced a primary blood bag label stock range based on a unique adhesive - RP32 PB. Developed and tested according to guidance from the ISO 3826 standard, RP32 PB has high heat resistance and tolerates long-term storage in low-temperature environments. When paired with a selection of non-PVC label faces, this range is applicable for different market preferences.

Migration safety is important to recognize and analyze when drugs or medical contents in liquid or gas forms are stored in containers made from LDPE plastics, COC/COP and PP. UPM Raflatac's RP31 Purus adhesive is 'migration safe' with low-leachable characteristics. This specially-developed adhesive performs well on small diameters and on a variety of substrates, including PP and LDPE.

For identification labeling on container stored at low temperatures, RP80 LT and RPCryo adhesives offer long-term reliability and withstand multiple freeze-thaw cycles. RP80 LT is formulated for environmental conditions as low as -80°C and is recommended for labeling laboratory vials, ampules, test tubes, plates and storage boxes. RPCryo is particularly recommended for labeling cryogenic laboratory sample containers in liquid-nitrogen storage conditions as low as -150°C to -196°C.

Innovation, global support and stability of supply

UPM Raflatac has also launched a range of pharmaceutical labeling materials that support compliance with the Falsified Medicines Directive (2011/62/EU) regarding packaging for prescription drugs and high-risk, over-the-counter medicines. By incorporating tamper-evident features as described in the new EN 16679, these products help protect the supply chain from counterfeit materials. RP62 EU adhesive produces cardboard tear on tampered pharmaceutical product packs, and clear film labels make these solutions compatible with existing packaging designs. A new destructible film label, Pharmaclear PP Seal, adds a second layer of security by preventing re-use of the label.

Other innovations include a unique material based on RP3H adhesive for labeling sterilization wraps for autoclaved surgical instruments; and unlike typical solutions, no additional tape is required to secure label adhesion. UPM Raflatac also supplies a wide range of solutions for labeling small-diameter containers from 15 mm to 7 mm.

"UPM Raflatac's labeling solutions follow pharmaceutically-compliant development processes and meet the strictest regulatory requirements. These dedicated materials fulfil specific pharmaceutical, healthcare and laboratory needs, and are backed by our comprehensive support, established supply networks and worldwide presence," says Trevor Richardson, Market Development Manager, Pharma & Beverage, UPM Raflatac Americas. "UPM Raflatac delivers everything label converters and end-users require for pharmaceutical standards of safety, performance and stability."

Learn more about UPM Raflatac's pharmaceutical & healthcare labeling products »

Watch our pharmaceutical & healthcare labeling video »

Hi-res photos can be downloaded at » http://pet.upm.com/?cart=10303-mcacdjlkkl&l=EN

For further information, please contact:
Trevor Richardson, Market Development Manager, UPM Raflatac, tel. +1-289-927-4755, trevor.richardson@upmraflatac.com

UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac is one of the world's leading producers of self-adhesive label materials. We supply high-quality paper and film labelstock for consumer product and industrial labeling through a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. We employ around 2,900 people and made sales of USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.4 billion) in 2015. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM - The Biofore Company. Find out more at www.upmraflatac.com.

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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