UPM Raflatac has announced the launch of its New Wave paper label material, which is compatible with recycling.
The firm revealed it is the first RecyClass certified paper label material to obtain a Letter of Compatibility for use on rigid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) containers.
Test results confirm the compatibility even for natural and white material streams, which require the highest purity of recyclate from the recycling processes. UPM Raflatac said the new label material represents a ‘major step forward’ in the recycling of rigid plastic packaging.
The New Wave label material is designed to provide functionality for the full life cycle of products, primarily home and personal care products such as soap bottles or washing detergent containers. It supports the purity of recycled materials by washing off cleanly at just 40°C using plain water with no chemicals required.
Until now, obtaining RecyClass approval for natural and white HDPE and PP rigid packaging has been difficult due to the lack of any RecyClass approved label. However, with the introduction of the New Wave paper label material, brands can now achieve certification for the final packaging with New Wave label material certified by RecyClass.
“When brands choose the New Wave Label material for their rigid HDPE or PP packaging, they can make the full package eligible for RecyClass certification,” explained Robert Taylor, director sustainability, UPM Raflatac. “Brand owners will not have to test the packaging further if all packaging components have either a letter of compatibility, a technology approval letter, or the material choice meets RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines.”
