Finland-based label materials provider UPM Raflatac has partnered with Unilever to reduce the environmental impacts of packaging labels across their lifecycle.
Under the partnership, the companies have developed lifecycle assessment (LCA) model including the label printing process that allows them to evaluate whole value chain of the products from raw materials to consumer use and disposal.
The LCA model enables the companies to detect areas of major environmental impacts and make strategies to mitigate.
Unilever said the company strongly believes in a sustainable supply chain, and is ingrained in its business practices.
"However, to achieve the ultimate goal of end-to-end recycling, we cannot work alone," the company added.
"It is essential that all facets of the value chain - material suppliers, printers, end-users and recyclers - collaborate together to establish a clear and transparent recycling stream globally.
"It is equally important that we have the necessary information available to understand the environmental impacts of the materials we are using. This helps us immensely in our material selection process."
With the partnership, Unilever aims to increase size of its business and reduce environmental impact. It is also working on decreasing the greenhouse gas and water impacts caused by its home and personal care products.
Both the companies will also include label dispensing operations from Unilever's own packaging unit into the LCA model, and will also comparing the environmental impact of digital and traditional printing technologies.
Additionally, the companies are opting for better label material selection and processing, opportunities to increase the recycling rate for release liner and matrix waste using the RafCycle waste management program.
