UPM Raflatac signs up to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation


(UPM Raflatac, Helsinki, 29 October 2018 at 11:00 EET) - UPM Raflatac has 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. The Global Commitment and its vision for a circular economy for plastic is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with UN Environment. The commitment has been officially unveiled at the Our Ocean Conference in Bali today Monday, October 29.

By signing the commitment UPM Raflatac wants to demonstrate its commitment to labeling a smarter future beyond fossils. By developing sustainable labeling solutions and partnerships UPM Raflatac supports brand owners in eliminating unnecessary plastic packaging and achieving their target of 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Innovative solutions such as the RafCycle recycling concept, thin film materials, wash-off adhesives and label materials containing recycled content are good examples of how UPM Raflatac can enable the circular economy.

"Labels are everywhere and an integral part of packaging. Wrapped around food, beverages, cosmetics and medicines, to name a few. Labels matter and as the leader in sustainability we can support brands meet their ambitious targets on their journey towards a circular future. We would like to invite our clients, brands, and other stakeholders to work with us to make the plastics economy truly circular," says Robert Taylor, Sustainability Director, UPM Raflatac.

"The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment draws a line in the sand, with businesses, governments and others around the world uniting behind a clear vision for what we need to create a circular economy for plastic. This is just one step on what will be a challenging journey, but one which can lead to huge benefits for society, the economy and the environment. I encourage all businesses and governments to go further and embark on a race to the top in the creation of a circular economy for plastic. One in which this material never becomes waste or pollution," says Dame Ellen MacArthur, Founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The Global Commitment aims to create 'a new normal' for plastic packaging. Targets will be reviewed every 18 months, and become increasingly ambitious over the coming years. Businesses that sign the commitment will publish annual data on their progress to help drive momentum and ensure transparency.
For more information about the initiative please visit the New Plastics Economy website: https://www.newplasticseconomy.org/

For further information please contact:
Robert Taylor, Director, Sustainability, UPM Raflatac, Tel. +358405148866/+8613661855292  

UPM, Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com

UPM Raflatac is labeling a smarter future by developing innovative and sustainable labeling solutions complemented with world-class service. As one of the world's leading producers of self-adhesive label materials, we supply high-quality paper and film label stock for consumer product and industrial labeling through a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. We employ around 3,000 people and made sales of EUR 1.5 billion (USD 1.9 billion) in 2017. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM - The Biofore Company. Find out more at www.upmraflatac.com.

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The Ellen MacArthur Foundation was launched in 2010 to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Foundation works across key areas including insight and analysis, business and
government, learning, systemic initiatives and communications. With its Knowledge Partners (Arup, IDEO, McKinsey & Company and SYSTEMIQ), the Foundation works to quantify the economic opportunity of a more circular model and to develop approaches for capturing its value. The Foundation collaborates
with its Global Partners (Danone, Google, H&M,Intesa Sanpaolo, NIKE Inc., Philips, Renault, Solvay,
Unilever), Core Philanthropic Funders (SUN, MAVA, players of People's Postcode Lottery (GB))
and its CE100 network (businesses, universities,emerging innovators, governments, cities, affiliate organisations), to build capacity, explore collaboration opportunities and to develop circular
business initiatives. Further information: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/