As global efforts to deal with climate change intensifies, UPM Raflatac – a provider of self-adhesive paper and film products, including label materials, graphics solutions and removable self-adhesive products – has introduced of a slew of measures over the years to move toward its goal to be the first label materials company beyond fossils.
The company says it takes climate action by increasing the use of certified papers and the traceability of other bio-based materials, by fostering a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and by developing innovative solutions that meet the needs of sustainably minded brands and companies.
UPM Raflatac’s RAFNXT+ product range, it says, is a prime example of its efforts to provide products that help customers reduce the carbon footprint of their labels. In 2019, it became the world’s first label material verified by the Carbon Trust, a global climate change and sustainability consultancy.
In 2022, Raflatac customers avoided and reduced label material carbon emissions by over 5,000 tons of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) simply by selecting RAFNXT+ labels instead of standard label materials. According to EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, this equals over 1,100 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.
“As the latest IPCC report shows, the current pace and scale of climate action is insufficient. We all need to take climate action both today and in the future. RAFNXT+ is a readily available label material solution for brands and customers that want to take a step towards lower emissions today. We must increase momentum and make smart choices in packaging that deliver a low-carbon future,” says Satu Leppänen, Sustainability manager at UPM Raflatac.
The RAFNXT+ product range has on average an 11% lower carbon footprint compared to standard label materials. Its carbon performance has been calculated using UPM Raflatac’s life cycle assessment (LCA) service known as Label Life by UPM Raflatac. LCA is an internationally accepted standardized method for analyzing the environmental impacts of products. The cradle-to-gate calculation of the RAFNXT+ carbon footprints has been verified by the Carbon Trust according to the PAS 2050 standard, the company said.
Through the smarter use and choice of paper raw materials originating from sustainably managed forests, recycled materials, and other controlled sources, RAFNXT+ range also supports the capacity of forests to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
UPM Raflatac says it is determined to take concrete steps to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of its operations and continue developing leading solutions for its customers. At the end of the day, sustainability is a joint effort. The company partners with multiple organizations and global experts that share its vision of a sustainable, low-carbon future beyond fossils.
UPM says it delivers renewable and responsible solutions and innovates for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. It says it is committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change.
