Claimed to be first-of-its-kind in the world, the packaging label material is made from SABIC-certified circular polypropylene (PP) based on advanced recycled ocean bound plastic
The label materials are said to be suitable for fast-moving consumer goods. (Credit: SABIC)
Saudi chemical manufacturing firm SABIC has partnered with UPM Raflatac, a supplier of pressure-sensitive labelling solutions, to introduce label material made from certified circular ocean bound plastic.
Claimed to be first-of-its-kind in the world, the packaging label material is made from SABIC-certified circular polypropylene (PP) based on an advanced recycled ocean bound plastic (OBP).
The label materials will be sold under the UPM Raflatac Ocean Action trademark.
SABIC Petrochemicals PP, PET, PS, PVC, PU & elastomers businesses general manager Lada Kurelec said: “We are proud to offer our customers another more sustainable choice through the advanced recycling of used plastic that could otherwise end up in our rivers and oceans.
“These labels containing ocean bound plastic connect with our TRUCIRCLE programme of circular solutions designed to help reduce plastic waste, mitigate fossil depletion and protect our planet.”
OBP is abandoned plastic waste found in areas up to 50km inland from waterways that may be washed into the ocean by rainfall, rivers or tides, said SABIC.
Zero Plastic Oceans, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to addressing plastic pollution issues, has estimated that OBP from uncontrolled waste disposal accounts for 80% of marine plastic litter.
The local partners of HHI, a Malaysia-based recycling company, have recovered the OBP used in the project, while the sustainable sourcing, proper collection and management of the OBP is certified by Zero Plastic Oceans and Control Union.
Leveraging the advanced recycling method, HHI converts OBP into pyrolysis oil. SABIC uses the oil as an alternative feedstock to produce certified circular SABIC PP polymer for further processing to film by Taghleef. Later, UPM Raflatac produces the label material.
The Ocean Action label material is available as White and Clear Top Coated PP films with RP37, RF37, and RP74 adhesives and PET 23 PCR and glassine liners.
The label materials are said to be suitable for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), such as household goods, personal care, packaged foods, and beverages.
UPM Raflatac business development manager Eliisa Laurikainen said: “The new innovative Ocean Action label material is the latest step in our beyond fossils journey.
”It does not only help prevent the plastic waste from ending up in the oceans but also offers brand owners the possibility to meet their recycled content targets for packaging.
”The Ocean Action label material is an easy-to-use drop-in solution created especially for food and cosmetics end-uses as it has exactly the same performance as the current fossil-based labels.”