A partnership between Lohmann and UPM Speciality Papers aspires to drive the tape industry’s progress in designing paper liners for recycling with new products and closed-loop solutions.
Liner recycling has proven to be a challenge for the tape industry, UPM explains. Siliconized release liners with a darker brown shade have become a roadblock to recycling adhesive tape liners, as recycling them alongside white or light-shaded glassine streams causes contamination. On the other hand, recycling them separately is not thought to be economically viable due to their comparatively small volume.
In response, Lohmann introduced DuploCOLL ECO, its bio-based and solvent-free tape line. It seeks to provide equal performance in its white paper liner as standard darker alternatives, enabling the highest possible quality for recycling.
Building on closed-loop paper liner recycling solution UPM LinerLoop, the collaboration also aligns with Lohmann’s strategy to develop sustainability-minded adhesive technologies.
UPM LinerLoop and other established paper and paperboard recycling streams are expected to provide a drop-in solution to help Lohmann improve the recyclability of liner waste – keeping fibres in the recycling loop for as long as possible and drive down the consumption of primary resources. This comes alongside other measures to cut down on waste, increase packaging reusability, and achieve recyclability for more products and product components.
UPM Specialty Papers also places emphasis on industry collaboration and designing for recycling, which are hoped to lead to robust recycling infrastructure for paper products.
“We were aware that the recycling of liners needs to be on our sustainability action plan,” says Evert Smit, director Scouting at Lohmann. “We wanted to make the first move and set a new standard for our industry and now, in cooperation with UPM Specialty Papers, we hope that others in the tape industry will follow suit and promote sustainability as a collective.”
“We are delighted to have been able to support Lohmann in removing the obstacles for recycling of paper liners in the tape industry,” adds Mikko Rissanen, director of Technology at UPM Specialty Papers.
Earlier this year, tesa released its certified recyclable 60408 packaging tape – featuring a paper-based backing, natural rubber adhesive, and bio-based resin with a total bio-based carbon content of 92%.
Meanwhile, Fedrigoni Self Adhesives sought to upcycle the discarded glassine backing of self-adhesive products into its Re-Play premium labelling solution.
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Also, if you’re interested in packaging sustainability, you will want to attend our Sustainable Packaging Summit in Amsterdam on 14-15 November. The Summit brings together leaders and pioneers from across the industry to align strategically, learn, network, and create a critical mass to accelerate change. You can learn more by clicking here, and you can buy a ticket to attend here.
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