UPM Raflatac has partnered with Dutch metal packaging and closures supplier, Mus Verpakkingen, to test a biobased film solution for can labeling.
The companies tested the new RafBio PE material, which is said to be more sustainable alternative to standard PE film.
Made from sugarcane ethanol containing more than 80% renewable plant-based raw material, the ecodesigned film material is designed to be recyclable within the same recycling streams as fossil-based PE.
Mus Verpakkingen CEO Willem Mus said: "The recycling rate of cans in the Netherlands is at 95%. Having the RafBio PE label strengthens our product proposition even further and helps us create a very sustainable product - something a growing number of our customers consider very important.”
For the test program, Mus used RafBio PE Clear FTC 85 film to label its 1 liter cylindrical cans.
The partners are planning to use RafBio label material for Mus’ other can sizes ranging from 125mm to 5 liters.
In addition to reducing CO2 emission, the renewable RafBio PE Clear FTC 85 film is an alternate to fossil-based raw materials.
Additionally, Mus has joined UPM Raflatac's RafCycle program to recycle its glassine liner. The program is intended to offers significant benefits to label printers and end users by turning waste into valuable resources.
The glassine liner is collected and is turned into magazine paper at UPM Plattling in Germany.
