UPM earns recognition from APR for shrink sleeve products

UPM Raflatac has received the Critical Guidance recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for its two new shrink sleeve film label products.

UPM earns recognition from APR for shrink sleeve products

The recognition confirms that UPM Raflatac's undecorated RafShrink PO MDO 40 LS and RafShrink PO TDO 45 HS shrink sleeve films are compatible with recycling and meet or exceed requirements stated in APR's Critical Guidance Document established for improving the quality of post-consumer plastics entering recycling.

Shrink sleeve films are the fastest growing method for labeling because they open up unique possibilities for package design, shape and 360-degree decoration. By using UPM Raflatac's shrink sleeve films, brand owners now have new sustainable and recycling-compatible choices when it comes to branding and packaging their products.

In a letter to UPM Raflatac, APR thanked the company for its cooperation in using this important protocol, which is intended to improve the quality of recycled bottles. Meeting the Critical Guidance Document guidelines is a truly significant step in demonstrating overall recyclability of UPM Raflatac's label and decoration products.

‘The APR recognition of our two new shrink sleeve films emphasizes our commitment to support the recyclability of plastic packaging, and sustainability in general,’ said Erkki Nyberg, director of shrink sleeve films at UPM Raflatac. ‘We continue to grow our product portfolio to meet the requirements of various shrink sleeve label application technologies used by global brand owners to showcase their products.’

Earlier this year, UPM Raflatac received APR recognition for its pressure-sensitive labeling innovation for plastic packaging, and in 2014 APR recognized two of the company's shrink sleeve products.