UPM Raflatac partners with EcoBlue Limited for expanding its RafCycle™ recycling solution to Thailand

UPM Raflatac, the global leader in sustainable pressure sensitive labeling solutions, is pleased to announce that its RafCycle^™ recycling solution is now also available in Thailand. RafCycle services were launched in Bangkok on November 16, 2018 during an end-user event with an announcement of EcoBlue Limited being the first RafCycle partner in the area.

EcoBlue Limited gives a new life to PET label liner waste at its recycling facility in Rayong, Thailand, that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated. The PET liner waste is collected from RafCycle partners and recycled into new materials providing numerous benefits to printers, packers, brand-owners, and, of course, the environment. Turning waste into a resource is a key concept in the circular economy and an important part of UPM Raflatac’s approach to labeling a smarter future beyond fossils.

“The goal of 100% recyclable packaging set out by the consumer product companies requires us to find solutions for waste materials beyond PET bottles. Our CircuLiner Program intends to achieve this by providing a recycling solution for the PET liner waste. We are excited about partnering with an environmentally conscious organization like UPM Raflatac and hope to grow this program through RafCycle,” says Pranay Jain, Managing Director, EcoBlue Limited.  

“We are delighted to be able to introduce RafCycle in Thailand in partnership with Ecoblue. Our local team of experts can offer our customers and brands a range of sustainable products and services that will deliver benefits in the local market and beyond,” says Tanarrato Tanaka, Country Manager, Thailand, UPM Raflatac.

“Labels are everywhere and an integral part of packaging. In expanding our RafCycle program to Thailand, we want to encourage brands to work with us to achieve their recycling targets and to make the plastics economy truly circular. Our ambition is to expand the RafCycle solution into other South East Asian markets in due course,” says Robert Taylor, Sustainability Director, UPM Raflatac.

UPM Raflatac recently signed up to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment among 250 organisations including many of the world’s largest packaging producers, brands, retailers and recyclers, as well as governments and NGOs. One of UPM Raflatac’s commitments is to grow the RafCycle recycling programme to enable all end-users to return their label liners. The Global Commitment and its vision for a circular economy for plastic is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with UN Environment.

For more information about UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle concept, visit www.RafCycle.com.