UPM Raflatac and Sabic first to bring PPR label material to market

UPM Raflatac is taking a major step toward creating a circular economy by collaborating with SABIC for the first polypropylene (PP) label film manufactured from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic on the market (on a mass balance basis). Now available globally, this label material uses SABIC’s groundbreaking TRUCIRCLE™ solutions for certified circular PP products.

The UPM Raflatac PP PCR Clear and White products are made with a chemical recycling technology that uses mass-balance approach to deliver virgin-like resin feedstock. With the same properties as standard PP films, these PP PCR films can be used in different label applications, including rigid food packaging. Customers and brand owners can achieve the same product performance and cut their footprint by decreasing the amount of virgin materials used at the same time.

The new PP PCR Clear and White products are a continuation of the company’s mission to use recycled or renewable raw materials. The first step was with UPM Raflatac Forest Film™ where fossil raw materials are replaced by renewable wood-based ones.

As per UPM Raflatac’s standard procedure, the whole value chain of PP PCR films has ISCC PLUS certification. The widely recognized sustainability certification scheme verifies that the mass balance accounting follows predefined and transparent rules.

The high quality of the post-consumer recycled plastic is secured through chemical recycling, turning plastic polymers back into their original molecules. These can be reformed into polypropylene which is equal to one made from virgin raw materials and fulfills strict food safety regulations. The chemical recycling process makes it possible to use recycled plastics in applications that could not utilize recycled materials before, such as food applications.