Global climate change has become one of the greatest challenges to human development. As the global climate problem becomes more and more serious, all countries have continuously introduced new and stricter environmental protection policies.

Since the European Union took the lead in announcing absolute emission reduction targets, the world's major economies and major carbon emitters have successively made commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

As a major carbon emitter, China's carbon targets have attracted global attention. From the proposal of the 3060 goal, to being included in the "14th Five-Year Plan" proposal, and the launch of the national carbon emission trading market, it can be found and foreseen that carbon neutralization will lead to China's economy, industry, technology and production. A profound revolution in the fields of , lifestyle, consumption concept and so on.

So, for the label printing industry, how to implement this policy? How to choose a suitable supplier to meet the challenges in the double-carbon era and seize new development opportunities?

Carbon reduction is only the first step
Faced with the global challenge of climate change, no one is immune to it. Under the general trend of carbon reduction, in addition to the national environmental protection policy, many brands have also set their own carbon reduction goals. So far, more than 1,000 leading companies around the world have taken "low carbon" as one of their supply chain goals.
Coca-Cola has set a new science-based carbon reduction target to reduce absolute Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 25% by 2030 (compared to 2015);

Companies such as Nestlé have said they are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with food and beverage production and sales by improving energy efficiency, using cleaner fuels and investing in renewable energy.

 

In this process, labels and product packaging play an important role. Twelve countries and regions have passed legislation requiring their companies to implement a carbon label system, and companies such as Walmart, Carrefour, Tesco, IBM and IKEA have all required their suppliers to provide carbon labels.

UPM Raflatac is a leading global manufacturer of self-adhesive label materials aiming to go beyond fossil energy, and the only forestry company in the industry to sign Amazon's "The Climate Pledge" and commit to 10 years ahead of schedule Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The company also announced its participation in the UN's "Business Ambition for 1.5°C" to take practical actions to mitigate climate change.

Taking this as a starting point, UPM Raflatac has specially developed the RAFNXT+ label material product line - a future-oriented low-carbon label material to replace traditional label materials and help companies meet environmental challenges.

Towards carbon neutrality
As a leader in the transformation of the self-adhesive label industry to a circular economy, UPM Raflatac is constantly adjusting and making breakthroughs in the face of challenges, and is committed to providing customers with more sustainable label solutions. In 2019, UPM Raflatac announced RAFNXT+ as the first label material in the world to pass the Carbon Trust.

Carbon Trust certification verifies the carbon emissions of specific products based on the PAS2050 standard, and obtaining this certification means that the carbon emissions of products are well documented and can effectively reduce carbon emissions.

Today, UPM Raflatac is taking a step closer to further reducing the carbon footprint of its label materials, announcing that its RAFNXT+ label material is now the world’s first certified CarbonNeutral® product by Natural Capital Partners under the Carbon Neutral Protocol The CarbonNeutral® label material, UPM Raflatac has also been promoted to be the first company in the label industry to launch a carbon neutral product.

For customers, choosing this carbon neutral certified RAFNXT+ range means additional measures to further reduce or even avoid greenhouse gas emissions.

From Carbon Trust certification to Carbon Neutral® certification, UPM Raflatac Sustainability Director Robert Taylor said this is exactly what UPM Raflatac is doing by going beyond fossil energy to achieve "smart labeling, pioneering An important step in our vision for the future: "Despite everything we can do, our products still have an impact on the climate that cannot be avoided today. Therefore, we are carbon neutral. The only way to do this is to offset the carbon emissions that cannot be eliminated. That means investing in certified carbon offset projects that will offset carbon emissions in equal measure.”

UPM Raflatac has externally certified the material's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) according to ISO 14040/44 and PAS 2050 standards. Since RAFNXT+ carbon neutral products are CarbonNeutral® certified, their associated carbon emissions can be deducted in the LCA calculation.

(Sub-heading) Lightweight, reducing pressure on natural resources

Compared to UPM Raflatac's standard label, the RAFNXT+ product range is smarter and more flexible in the use and selection of natural resources, resulting in excellent carbon reduction performance. By choosing CarbonNeutral® products, you can further reduce or even avoid greenhouse gas emissions and reduce carbon emissions.

 

(sub-subhead) Using Renewable Resources

RAFNXT+ paper label material is sourced from sustainably managed FSC® certified forests. Compared to standard labels, this range of products uses less raw materials, energy and water in the production process and generates less waste during the life cycle, thus providing a trusted sustainable foundation for climate-positive action.

 

(Sub-heading) Contains recycled content to help the development of circular economy

UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle service is helping customers to recycle glassine liner from customers to help develop a circular economy. At the same time, UPM Raflatac is working hard to apply the recycled glassine fiber to the backing paper of RAFNXT+ series products, thus forming a closed-loop solution.

The advantages of the RAFNXT+ range are also reflected in the labelling solutions included in the product range for a variety of labelling applications in the food, retail, logistics and home care sectors.

"Carbon" seeks a new future
Under the environment of double-carbon economy, the development of the label printing industry will inevitably bring many challenges, but it also contains many opportunities.

Seeking truth from facts, at present, many label printing companies in China do not have a deep understanding and contact with the dual-carbon economy, and some people feel that they are a little far from this policy.

However, as a world-leading self-adhesive label material manufacturer aiming to surpass fossil energy, UPM Raflatac has conducted exchanges and in-depth cooperation with many internationally renowned label printers and brands, which are very important. It is worth learning and learning from Chinese label printing enterprises! In the transformation driven by the dual-carbon economy, seizing the opportunity and seizing the opportunity will create unlimited new business opportunities for the future development of the company.

From carbon trust to carbon neutral product certification, the RAFNXT+ series products can be described as "icing on the cake and combining strengths". In fact, apart from this product, with global R&D resources and advanced cutting-edge technical strength, UPM Raflatac has been sparing no effort in addressing the challenges brought about by climate change. Environmental protection, sustainable development and attributes have long been integrated into the DNA of the company's development.

Undoubtedly, "Carbon" is a new future, and UPM Raflatac will definitely help you!