UPM Specialty Papers achieves compostability milestones, certifying six papers for home and industrial use, prioritizing eco-friendly end-of-life treatment in alignment with French legislation
UPM Specialty Papers achieves a significant milestone, certifying six packaging papers as both home and industrially compostable, aligning with French legislation. This strategic move emphasizes the company's commitment to responsible and environmentally safe end-of-life treatment for paper packaging solutions.
Among these papers, three are coated on one side (C1S), showcasing versatile applications. UPM FlexPack, designed for flexo printing, is a high white paper for food packaging. UPM UniquePack, a glossy paper compatible with flexo and rotogravure printing, as well as various lamination processes, targets high-end packaging. UPM UniquePack Strong focuses on durable and aesthetically pleasing flexo-printed packaging.
The lineup includes two barrier papers, namely UPM Prego, serving as a water vapor barrier for baked goods and food-to-go, and UPM Asendo, a C1S barrier paper with grease and moisture resistance – both certified as compostable.
Completing the list is UPM Solide Lucent, a specialty kraft paper, described as natural white and translucent, offering versatility in converting and printing applications.
Certifications for home and industrial compostability adhere to French standards NF T-51-800 and EN 13432, respectively, aligning with Article 75 of the Law on Energy Transition for Green Growth. This legislation prohibits oxo-fragmentable packaging, emphasizing the need for genuinely degradable materials without harmful additives.
UPM aims to facilitate the adoption of home compostability by brand owners and converters with its recyclable, fiber-based materials. Home compostable materials are designed to biodegrade within twelve months, breaking down into non-ecotoxic compost within six months at temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C.
Despite highlighting compostability as a valuable alternative, the company acknowledges it's not a one-size-fits-all solution in the pursuit of sustainable packaging. Recycling remains the preferred option whenever possible, but compostability can be a suitable choice, especially in scenarios where recycling packaging papers isn't feasible due to factors like food residues or limited recycling infrastructure.
UPM's commitment aligns with its responsibility targets for 2030, emphasizing a circular economy and sustainable product design, considering a product's treatment at the end of its lifecycle.
The company also secures home and industrial compostability certification for two label face papers, UPM LabelCoat and UPM LabelCoat Prime, meeting the requirements of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
In related news, Mondi achieves a similar feat by certifying its entire kraft paper packaging portfolio as home or industrially compostable, surpassing its own goal of making all packaging and paper products compostable by 2025.
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