Finland headquartered Ahlstrom-Munksjö has joined CELAB (Circular Economy for Labels), a global coalition recently created to promote the development of a circular economy for self-adhesive label materials.
The purpose of CELAB is to create greater recyclability for the products in the self-adhesive label industry by enhancing and promoting options for recycling their waste streams around the world. There are two primary process stages in the value chain of label materials that generate waste streams. The first stream is generated from the unused surrounding area of the self-adhesive face stock material after cutting the labels; this is also known as “matrix waste”. The second stream arises from the liner from which the label is peeled away during dispensing. Turning these waste streams into resources offers important sustainability improvements.
The consortium comprises both global and regional members in the self-adhesive labeling value chain. It includes many of the largest players in the self-adhesive label industry, such as producers of base materials like papers and films, producers of other components like silicones and adhesives, manufacturers of self-adhesive laminates, and printers of self-adhesive labels.
“We are excited to become part of the CELAB coalition and join forces with other major players to drive important sustainability initiatives in the markets where we operate. For us responsible business conduct means focusing not only on our own operations but on the whole value chain and finding solutions in active dialogue with our customers and suppliers,” says Heli Nykänen, manager, Group Sustainability and Capital Investments.
As a global supplier of release liner papers, Ahlstrom-Munksjö takes part in the coalition’s global steering committee and regional branches in Europe and North America. The company also looks forward to further expand the program into other regions where it operates.
Through diverse release liner technologies and manufacturing in Europe and North and South America, Ahlstrom-Munksjö offers a comprehensive range of sustainable paper substrates that matches the needs of all release liner segments, from labeling to specialty tapes, hygiene and medical to self-adhesive graphics, as well as composites to food and baking.
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. The company’s mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for sustainable everyday life. Our offering includes filter materials, release liners, food, and beverage processing materials, decor papers, abrasive and tape backings, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, medical fiber materials, and diagnostics solutions, as well as a range of specialty papers for industrial and consumer end-uses.
