UPM Raflatac awarded for its wash-off adhesive

Developed in partnership with Kiwi Labels, a New Zealand pioneer in digitally-printed labels, the sustainable solution for cherry punnet rPET packages was nominated in two categories, ultimately taking home bronze in the 2020 Sustainable Packaging Design Special Award-Retail Pack category. The award came as a high mark of recognition for leadership in innovative, sustainable packaging.

According to the NZ Packaging Council, New Zealanders consume about 735 000 tones of packaging every year and recycle only about 58 percent. The New Zealand market is facing an urgent need to develop more sustainable products and solutions to reduce plastic waste. 

‘We always face the problem that the standard label solution hinders the recycling process as it sticks on the recyclate. With most of the recyclers using old machinery, label choice matters. UPM Raflatac’s RW85C wash-off solution really works well. It enhances the efficiency of the PET recycling process without requiring any changes to our existing labeling equipment,’ commented Guy Phillips, general manager at Kiwi Labels.

The RW85C PET wash-off adhesive has been developed to meet the needs of the circular economy. Unlike traditional label materials, this technology easily separates during the industrial washing process, floating away from the high-value clean PET flakes and allowing a greater yield to be recovered without contamination. These flakes can then be converted into new pellets for PET packaging, reducing waste, and improving the efficiency of the plastic recycling process.

‘With increased awareness of the environmental issues caused by plastic waste, more and more brand owners recognize sustainability as a key factor in their packaging decisions. We are pleased that our PET wash-off solution can help to build-in and maximize the recyclability of their packaging, thereby enhancing their brand’s value in an increasingly competitive market,’ added Philip Bracey, country manager of UPM Raflatac New Zealand.