Greg Hrinya, Editor01.26.22
As companies across all industries continue to grapple with the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, paper substrates have seen unprecedented demand. Suppliers are racing to keep up with a taxed supply chain while also developing new, environmentally-friendly materials.
The newest products hitting the market have been designed for performance, sustainability and cost efficiency. According to Sara Damante, senior marketing manager at Mactac Americas, the latest substrates have gotten thinner while also boasting the same performance characteristics of their predecessors.
“The benefit of thinner is that papers use less material, thus saving the environment,” she explains. “Customers can also have greater efficiency because they can have more labels on the same OD roll, and they can achieve significant cost savings all along the vertical market segment.”
“Downgauged calipers will continue to be utilized whenever possible,” says Melissa Harton, marketing and key account manager, Acucote, part of Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives. “And, as our industry continues to strive and meet ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals, the market will continue to see more labeling solutions with recycled content, alternate fibers and FSC and USDA BioPreferred alternatives for current stocks. On the digital side, new topcoatings have emerged that not only use lower coat weights, but in many cases provide a universal primer that can serve multiple print technologies.”
New paper products have been designed to engage with consumers at the point of sale, too. “Textures that deliver both shadow to your eyes and feel to your fingertips continue to expand,” remarks Jim Sheibley, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Wausau Coated Products. “Research into the positive effects of touch and feel – haptic senses – on packaging led this effort years ago, with more choices arriving now.”
The substrate demand is noticeable among suppliers. “Demand for both film and paper remains high,” comments Angel Harvey, senior product manager – Paper, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials. “E-commerce continues to see unprecedented growth and is driving large demand for topcoated and non-topcoated thermal papers. On the prime paper side, we also see heavy adoption from private label brands. This goes beyond grocery and into the home and personal care segment, as well.”
Additionally, papers are multi-faceted. In order to meet customer demand, suppliers have optimized their paper substrates to excel with numerous applications such as conventional flexo, UV and water-based inkjet, and HP Indigo technology, among others.
That diversity is on display with UPM Raflatac’s RafNXT+ papers, which include a wide range of prime, thermal transfer, and direct thermal options for a variety of food, logistics, home and personal care (HPC), and other end uses.
“We have seen unprecedented demand for UPM Raflatac products across a variety of industries,” notes Scott Conrad, segment manager, Prime Business, Paper Laminates, UPM Raflatac, Americas. “The flexibility and performance offered by UPM Raflatac’s PS laminates have been in very high demand for a variety of converters and end users.”
Paper products are better suited to accommodate the vast array of digital printing technologies than ever before. “As the number of digital printing platforms expands, so does the need for compatible papers,” says Patricia Mulvey, marketing manager, Green Bay Packaging. “This is particularly true for inkjet presses – both water-based and UV. We have added new coated papers with inkjet compatibility.
“Pandemic-driven demand related to the food and logistics industries has been the primary driver for growth in PS demand. Due to the nature of our business, we have a wide range of suppliers in various markets and countries,” she adds.
While demand has surged, fulfillment is slightly harder to quantify. “With so many supply disruptions on the raw materials side, customers are willing to take whatever material they can get their hands on in order to get the end user labelstock of any kind,” says Joel Ulrich, roll product marketing manager, Spinnaker Coating. “In some cases, they are willing to use a paper facestock for applications where they would typically use a film – and vice versa.”
Paper safety is not just limited to the environment. As the pandemic has heightened awareness of the transmission of communicable diseases, antimicrobial papers are now an option for a number of applications.
“Direct thermal papers are available for weigh scale uses, as well as shipping and logistics. Primary label papers, including semi-gloss, are also available in antimicrobial versions,” adds Mulvey. “The use of chemicals in everyday life is becoming a greater concern. To create safer products, direct thermal paper first eliminated BPA. Now the focus is on coatings that are phenol-free. We are in the process of transitioning all our direct thermal papers to phenol-free versions.”
There are more new technologies available to meet demand than ever before, too. Virtual Graphics, for example, has developed and patented RevealPrint, an alternative to traditional direct thermal printing. RevealPrint is intended for all markets where direct thermal labels are currently being used. “Unlike traditional direct thermal chemistry, RevealPrint’s image is non-yellowing or fading, so the image lasts for years,” says Gretchen Tobol, business development manager, Virtual Graphics. “Our unique Reveal technology allows labels to be imaged on-demand, in color, making it great for applications where the use of color will dramatically increase productivity, reduce errors, or allow customers to highlight safety information.”
According to Tobol, RevealPrint is a great alternative to traditional direct thermal labels since it is BPA/BPS, phenol and leuco dye free. The material is produced using passive ingredients that are readily available in the US, eliminating the concern over supply chain disruption.
Striving for Sustainability
One of the biggest drivers behind paper innovation has been sustainability. Suppliers have established environmental goals designed to curb climate change, and everyone throughout the supply chain – from consumers to brands – has echoed the need for more sustainable measures.
Acucote is only developing products that are sustainable in some shape or form. “When evaluating suppliers we seek FSC-certified or other sustainably-managed products that could enhance or replace current grades,” says Acucote’s Harton. “Additionally, recycled content or other innovative uses of incorporating waste materials into paper are preferential candidates for our R&D program.”
At Virtual Graphics, the RevealPrint line has been designed to be human health-friendly and easily recyclable. “Interest in RevealPrint technology has increased significantly over the past few years,” comments Virtual Graphics’ Tobol. “Driving factors are both the sustainability of the material, as well as the productivity increases experienced with the addition of color.”
Mactac has significant representation in CELAB (Circular Economy for Labels). Several of the company’s experts lead committees, and they’re actively recruiting Mactac’s partners to join.
“The industry as a whole is always looking for solutions through new product development or enhancements to existing products to bring sustainability into every aspect of the label industry,” explains Kathy Magyar, senior marketing manager at Mactac North America. “CELAB is a shining example of how we’re coming together for the greater good to find those solutions.”
There are other challenges impacting sustainability, as well, namely with the industry’s paper mills. “While our minds may go first to fiber-sourcing choices when we think of ‘sustainable papers,’ potentially the more pressing item for the label industry is the financial sustainability of paper mills serving our industry. With paper mills shuttering or converting from paper to paperboard products, options become restricted and disappear,” explains Wausau Coated’s Sheibley. “Label manufacturers need to support mills’ moves to develop face papers and release liners to replace commercial printing papers, or else our options will fall away.”
In addition to face papers used for labels, the papers in release liners need more sustainable lifecycles too. Sheibley credits CELAB for its work, as well. “CELAB North America currently has a recovery initiative focused on Chicago and surrounding regions toward lifting the recovery rate of release liners,” he adds.
Challenges ABOUND
Paper substrate suppliers have been required to navigate multiple challenges throughout the pandemic. In addition to greater demand, suppliers have had to deal with significant sourcing and supply chain issues, which are expected to extend into the future.
“The supply chain continues to be unpredictable, which presents a challenge in efficient production scheduling and the ability to meet customer demand,” says Acucote’s Harton. “This has led to longer lead times and prevented our team from being able to provide timely and definitive ship dates – and unfortunately the cycle continues.”
Capacity restrictions at mills are also a factor. Mills are at full capacity and have begun to reduce the number of products they are offering. “Compounding the situation are transportation delays due to issues at the ports and the lack of trucks and drivers,” adds Harton. “All of which affects our ability to get customers material within a tighter timeframe. What’s the remedy? At this stage, we have to be open to alternative materials, and we all have to reevaluate our order processes to accommodate the current market.”
According to Kim Hensley, senior marketing manager at Mactac North America, one remedy to many of the supply chain challenges facing suppliers is to implement contingency plans. “Some of the lessons learned from the supply chain challenges are the need for multiple suppliers and to add back in higher stocking levels of finished pressure sensitive materials,” comments Hensley. “History tells us that times like this drive the need to look at new technologies and innovations. Everyone will eventually benefit from multiple approved sources – our customers and our suppliers.”
“The biggest concern is not truly knowing how long the shortages are going to last,” states Spinnaker’s Ulrich. “While many predictions continue to be made, it is truly a moving target. This makes it difficult to provide solid answers to our customers. With that said, we believe the struggles of this year are going to encourage dual sourcing across all levels of the industry. The days of being single-sourced for major raw materials have proven to be a problem during this time, and that mindset will change going into 2022.”
For Avery Dennison, these challenges will not dissipate any time soon. “The availability constraints and inflationary impact of raw materials and freight have a critical impact on our supply chain, which we expect to continue into 2022,” notes Harvey. “We are expanding our supplier base to ensure a broader variety of sourcing options, while continuing to intensify collaboration and joint supply chain planning with our existing strategic suppliers.”
UPM Raflatac has a large team of professionals dedicated solely to creating a robust supply chain and navigating challenges as they arise. In addition, the company offers a highly trained sales team with vast technical know-how. “Our team is able to find the right solutions if the need arises,” says Conrad. “To further help with supply shortages we are sourced from multiple suppliers on as many raw materials as possible.”
New Paper Products
Even with the noted supply chain challenges, suppliers have not stopped developing new and innovative products for use in a bevy of markets.
In order to meet customer demand for sustainable paper products, Acucote has introduced 60# Hemp Paper made with 25% hemp and 75% post-consumer wood. End users can further reduce environmental impact by pairing it with an environmentally benign or repulpable adhesive and FSC or recycled content liner.
Acucote also has more than 30 FSC-certified materials for flexo and digital printing and 25 USDA BioPreferred certified papers. “These papers are constructed with 87% bio-based components when combined with our CP1 biodegradable adhesive and 40# liner,” states Harton.
Avery Dennison has also emphasized sustainability with its newest product portfolios, which include a broad range of specialty papers, prime paper and VI papers. The company’s new hot-melt adhesive technology, C4500, has achieved BioPreferred Certification from the USDA. The USDA BioPreferred Certification program validates the bio-based content of products through third-party testing. Other new products have been launched in the Eco Portfolio.
“Our recycled content liner – rPET liner – contains 30% post-consumer waste from recycled PET bottles and is available on a Forest Stewardship Council-certified semi-gloss paper facestock,” says Harvey.
Significant R&D activity at Green Bay Packaging has been spent creating more sustainable labelstocks to help brands meet their goals. Over the years, the company has added thinner options like a 1.7 mil glassine liner. Today, Green Bay Packaging is working on new components to further reduce environmental impact. One is a 48# semi-gloss paper, decreased from the industry standard of 54#. The other is a 2.1 mil SCK liner, downgauged from the usual 2.4 mil version.
Post-consumer waste in facestocks and liners is becoming a more frequently requested item. “We have long carried both coated and uncoated papers with up to 100% post-consumer waste,” explains Green Bay Packaging’s Mulvey. “Recycling compatible adhesives (RCAs) that meet the TLMI Recycling Protocol TLMI-LRP-2 for the recyclability of paper labels on paper substrates are also not new. But interest is increasing because of expanded e-commerce shipping.”
Meanwhile, Mactac has developed several new products to support converters in this market. Mactac’s Bloom hi.mpact liner is a thinner liner that gives customers the option where less is more, as the lower basis weight paper liner is highly densified and refined.
Plus, Mactac’s Purefloat adhesive removes cleanly from PET containers and has been recognized by the APR for exceeding its critical guidance.
“It’s important to emphasize here that sustainability is not just about the products, but more of a state of mind that gets woven within a company’s culture, into Mactac’s culture,” says Hensley. “Our Simply Sustainable mantra is part of every employee’s daily life, from sourcing materials to the manufacturing facilities that practice daily waste reduction.”
Besides focusing on sustainable solutions, suppliers have engineered paper products with increased durability to help provide cost-effective alternatives to film products. To meet this demand, Spinnaker Coating has launched its Endura Inkjet Durable Paper, a saturated and coated paper facestock that features high durability and chemical resistance.
“This product offers matte finish with excellent printability via flexo and water-based inkjet platforms,” says Spinnaker’s Ulrich. “For true durable applications, such as BS5609 or other chemical labeling, using pigment inks is recommended.
“As we consider new products, some aspect of sustainability must be included in the project goals,” adds Ulrich. “It could include any of the four R’s of sustainability or a combination of several. The intent is to have a growing portfolio of sustainable product options available.”
UPM Raflatac is constantly challenging its suppliers to create more functional and sustainable paper products. The company’s newest products have been primarily related to incorporating sustainability into high-performing paper laminates.
“In the past, creating sustainable products that have adequate converting, printing and press performance has been a challenge,” says UPM Raflatac’s Conrad. “Through market research and leveraging of great supplier relations, UPM Raflatac has brought two unique – and high performing – sustainable paper labeling solutions to the market. These two product lines are our RafNXT+ and LabelLoop lines.”
RafNXT+ paper products are a group of standard paper products within the UPM Raflatac portfolio that bring a number of benefits to converters and end users, including high performance, waste reduction, and a reduction of overall carbon footprint. All RafNXT+ products are verified by the Carbon Trust to reduce carbon footprint when compared to the company’s standard paper range. UPM Raflatac has also promoted sustainability through its LabelLoop line of paper labels.
Wausau Coated has brought new textured paper materials to North America in its On Trend product line. In addition, the company introduced its Aged Agave 100% recycled fiber paper two years ago.
“Our R&D and marketing team has assembled the most sustainably attractive wine and spirits label we could build, too,” says Wausau Coated’s Sheibley. “That resulted in our newly introduced Estate Label #12 with our H-318 hybrid adhesive and filmic release liner made with 90% rPET (recycled polyester). We also have a new product that isn’t paper, however it is fibrous: Oak Veneer. Collaborating with our partners at Great Lakes Veneer, we now have Naturis Oak Veneer PS label materials available for 2022.”
The company also recognizes that owners of UV inkjet and hybrid presses would like to run a broader range of uncoated papers with texture and feel.
The newest products hitting the market have been designed for performance, sustainability and cost efficiency. According to Sara Damante, senior marketing manager at Mactac Americas, the latest substrates have gotten thinner while also boasting the same performance characteristics of their predecessors.
“The benefit of thinner is that papers use less material, thus saving the environment,” she explains. “Customers can also have greater efficiency because they can have more labels on the same OD roll, and they can achieve significant cost savings all along the vertical market segment.”
“Downgauged calipers will continue to be utilized whenever possible,” says Melissa Harton, marketing and key account manager, Acucote, part of Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives. “And, as our industry continues to strive and meet ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals, the market will continue to see more labeling solutions with recycled content, alternate fibers and FSC and USDA BioPreferred alternatives for current stocks. On the digital side, new topcoatings have emerged that not only use lower coat weights, but in many cases provide a universal primer that can serve multiple print technologies.”
New paper products have been designed to engage with consumers at the point of sale, too. “Textures that deliver both shadow to your eyes and feel to your fingertips continue to expand,” remarks Jim Sheibley, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Wausau Coated Products. “Research into the positive effects of touch and feel – haptic senses – on packaging led this effort years ago, with more choices arriving now.”
The substrate demand is noticeable among suppliers. “Demand for both film and paper remains high,” comments Angel Harvey, senior product manager – Paper, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials. “E-commerce continues to see unprecedented growth and is driving large demand for topcoated and non-topcoated thermal papers. On the prime paper side, we also see heavy adoption from private label brands. This goes beyond grocery and into the home and personal care segment, as well.”
Additionally, papers are multi-faceted. In order to meet customer demand, suppliers have optimized their paper substrates to excel with numerous applications such as conventional flexo, UV and water-based inkjet, and HP Indigo technology, among others.
That diversity is on display with UPM Raflatac’s RafNXT+ papers, which include a wide range of prime, thermal transfer, and direct thermal options for a variety of food, logistics, home and personal care (HPC), and other end uses.
“We have seen unprecedented demand for UPM Raflatac products across a variety of industries,” notes Scott Conrad, segment manager, Prime Business, Paper Laminates, UPM Raflatac, Americas. “The flexibility and performance offered by UPM Raflatac’s PS laminates have been in very high demand for a variety of converters and end users.”
Paper products are better suited to accommodate the vast array of digital printing technologies than ever before. “As the number of digital printing platforms expands, so does the need for compatible papers,” says Patricia Mulvey, marketing manager, Green Bay Packaging. “This is particularly true for inkjet presses – both water-based and UV. We have added new coated papers with inkjet compatibility.
“Pandemic-driven demand related to the food and logistics industries has been the primary driver for growth in PS demand. Due to the nature of our business, we have a wide range of suppliers in various markets and countries,” she adds.
While demand has surged, fulfillment is slightly harder to quantify. “With so many supply disruptions on the raw materials side, customers are willing to take whatever material they can get their hands on in order to get the end user labelstock of any kind,” says Joel Ulrich, roll product marketing manager, Spinnaker Coating. “In some cases, they are willing to use a paper facestock for applications where they would typically use a film – and vice versa.”
Paper safety is not just limited to the environment. As the pandemic has heightened awareness of the transmission of communicable diseases, antimicrobial papers are now an option for a number of applications.
“Direct thermal papers are available for weigh scale uses, as well as shipping and logistics. Primary label papers, including semi-gloss, are also available in antimicrobial versions,” adds Mulvey. “The use of chemicals in everyday life is becoming a greater concern. To create safer products, direct thermal paper first eliminated BPA. Now the focus is on coatings that are phenol-free. We are in the process of transitioning all our direct thermal papers to phenol-free versions.”
There are more new technologies available to meet demand than ever before, too. Virtual Graphics, for example, has developed and patented RevealPrint, an alternative to traditional direct thermal printing. RevealPrint is intended for all markets where direct thermal labels are currently being used. “Unlike traditional direct thermal chemistry, RevealPrint’s image is non-yellowing or fading, so the image lasts for years,” says Gretchen Tobol, business development manager, Virtual Graphics. “Our unique Reveal technology allows labels to be imaged on-demand, in color, making it great for applications where the use of color will dramatically increase productivity, reduce errors, or allow customers to highlight safety information.”
According to Tobol, RevealPrint is a great alternative to traditional direct thermal labels since it is BPA/BPS, phenol and leuco dye free. The material is produced using passive ingredients that are readily available in the US, eliminating the concern over supply chain disruption.
Striving for Sustainability
One of the biggest drivers behind paper innovation has been sustainability. Suppliers have established environmental goals designed to curb climate change, and everyone throughout the supply chain – from consumers to brands – has echoed the need for more sustainable measures.
Acucote is only developing products that are sustainable in some shape or form. “When evaluating suppliers we seek FSC-certified or other sustainably-managed products that could enhance or replace current grades,” says Acucote’s Harton. “Additionally, recycled content or other innovative uses of incorporating waste materials into paper are preferential candidates for our R&D program.”
At Virtual Graphics, the RevealPrint line has been designed to be human health-friendly and easily recyclable. “Interest in RevealPrint technology has increased significantly over the past few years,” comments Virtual Graphics’ Tobol. “Driving factors are both the sustainability of the material, as well as the productivity increases experienced with the addition of color.”
Mactac has significant representation in CELAB (Circular Economy for Labels). Several of the company’s experts lead committees, and they’re actively recruiting Mactac’s partners to join.
“The industry as a whole is always looking for solutions through new product development or enhancements to existing products to bring sustainability into every aspect of the label industry,” explains Kathy Magyar, senior marketing manager at Mactac North America. “CELAB is a shining example of how we’re coming together for the greater good to find those solutions.”
There are other challenges impacting sustainability, as well, namely with the industry’s paper mills. “While our minds may go first to fiber-sourcing choices when we think of ‘sustainable papers,’ potentially the more pressing item for the label industry is the financial sustainability of paper mills serving our industry. With paper mills shuttering or converting from paper to paperboard products, options become restricted and disappear,” explains Wausau Coated’s Sheibley. “Label manufacturers need to support mills’ moves to develop face papers and release liners to replace commercial printing papers, or else our options will fall away.”
In addition to face papers used for labels, the papers in release liners need more sustainable lifecycles too. Sheibley credits CELAB for its work, as well. “CELAB North America currently has a recovery initiative focused on Chicago and surrounding regions toward lifting the recovery rate of release liners,” he adds.
Challenges ABOUND
Paper substrate suppliers have been required to navigate multiple challenges throughout the pandemic. In addition to greater demand, suppliers have had to deal with significant sourcing and supply chain issues, which are expected to extend into the future.
“The supply chain continues to be unpredictable, which presents a challenge in efficient production scheduling and the ability to meet customer demand,” says Acucote’s Harton. “This has led to longer lead times and prevented our team from being able to provide timely and definitive ship dates – and unfortunately the cycle continues.”
Capacity restrictions at mills are also a factor. Mills are at full capacity and have begun to reduce the number of products they are offering. “Compounding the situation are transportation delays due to issues at the ports and the lack of trucks and drivers,” adds Harton. “All of which affects our ability to get customers material within a tighter timeframe. What’s the remedy? At this stage, we have to be open to alternative materials, and we all have to reevaluate our order processes to accommodate the current market.”
According to Kim Hensley, senior marketing manager at Mactac North America, one remedy to many of the supply chain challenges facing suppliers is to implement contingency plans. “Some of the lessons learned from the supply chain challenges are the need for multiple suppliers and to add back in higher stocking levels of finished pressure sensitive materials,” comments Hensley. “History tells us that times like this drive the need to look at new technologies and innovations. Everyone will eventually benefit from multiple approved sources – our customers and our suppliers.”
“The biggest concern is not truly knowing how long the shortages are going to last,” states Spinnaker’s Ulrich. “While many predictions continue to be made, it is truly a moving target. This makes it difficult to provide solid answers to our customers. With that said, we believe the struggles of this year are going to encourage dual sourcing across all levels of the industry. The days of being single-sourced for major raw materials have proven to be a problem during this time, and that mindset will change going into 2022.”
For Avery Dennison, these challenges will not dissipate any time soon. “The availability constraints and inflationary impact of raw materials and freight have a critical impact on our supply chain, which we expect to continue into 2022,” notes Harvey. “We are expanding our supplier base to ensure a broader variety of sourcing options, while continuing to intensify collaboration and joint supply chain planning with our existing strategic suppliers.”
UPM Raflatac has a large team of professionals dedicated solely to creating a robust supply chain and navigating challenges as they arise. In addition, the company offers a highly trained sales team with vast technical know-how. “Our team is able to find the right solutions if the need arises,” says Conrad. “To further help with supply shortages we are sourced from multiple suppliers on as many raw materials as possible.”
New Paper Products
Even with the noted supply chain challenges, suppliers have not stopped developing new and innovative products for use in a bevy of markets.
In order to meet customer demand for sustainable paper products, Acucote has introduced 60# Hemp Paper made with 25% hemp and 75% post-consumer wood. End users can further reduce environmental impact by pairing it with an environmentally benign or repulpable adhesive and FSC or recycled content liner.
Acucote also has more than 30 FSC-certified materials for flexo and digital printing and 25 USDA BioPreferred certified papers. “These papers are constructed with 87% bio-based components when combined with our CP1 biodegradable adhesive and 40# liner,” states Harton.
Avery Dennison has also emphasized sustainability with its newest product portfolios, which include a broad range of specialty papers, prime paper and VI papers. The company’s new hot-melt adhesive technology, C4500, has achieved BioPreferred Certification from the USDA. The USDA BioPreferred Certification program validates the bio-based content of products through third-party testing. Other new products have been launched in the Eco Portfolio.
“Our recycled content liner – rPET liner – contains 30% post-consumer waste from recycled PET bottles and is available on a Forest Stewardship Council-certified semi-gloss paper facestock,” says Harvey.
Significant R&D activity at Green Bay Packaging has been spent creating more sustainable labelstocks to help brands meet their goals. Over the years, the company has added thinner options like a 1.7 mil glassine liner. Today, Green Bay Packaging is working on new components to further reduce environmental impact. One is a 48# semi-gloss paper, decreased from the industry standard of 54#. The other is a 2.1 mil SCK liner, downgauged from the usual 2.4 mil version.
Post-consumer waste in facestocks and liners is becoming a more frequently requested item. “We have long carried both coated and uncoated papers with up to 100% post-consumer waste,” explains Green Bay Packaging’s Mulvey. “Recycling compatible adhesives (RCAs) that meet the TLMI Recycling Protocol TLMI-LRP-2 for the recyclability of paper labels on paper substrates are also not new. But interest is increasing because of expanded e-commerce shipping.”
Meanwhile, Mactac has developed several new products to support converters in this market. Mactac’s Bloom hi.mpact liner is a thinner liner that gives customers the option where less is more, as the lower basis weight paper liner is highly densified and refined.
Plus, Mactac’s Purefloat adhesive removes cleanly from PET containers and has been recognized by the APR for exceeding its critical guidance.
“It’s important to emphasize here that sustainability is not just about the products, but more of a state of mind that gets woven within a company’s culture, into Mactac’s culture,” says Hensley. “Our Simply Sustainable mantra is part of every employee’s daily life, from sourcing materials to the manufacturing facilities that practice daily waste reduction.”
Besides focusing on sustainable solutions, suppliers have engineered paper products with increased durability to help provide cost-effective alternatives to film products. To meet this demand, Spinnaker Coating has launched its Endura Inkjet Durable Paper, a saturated and coated paper facestock that features high durability and chemical resistance.
“This product offers matte finish with excellent printability via flexo and water-based inkjet platforms,” says Spinnaker’s Ulrich. “For true durable applications, such as BS5609 or other chemical labeling, using pigment inks is recommended.
“As we consider new products, some aspect of sustainability must be included in the project goals,” adds Ulrich. “It could include any of the four R’s of sustainability or a combination of several. The intent is to have a growing portfolio of sustainable product options available.”
UPM Raflatac is constantly challenging its suppliers to create more functional and sustainable paper products. The company’s newest products have been primarily related to incorporating sustainability into high-performing paper laminates.
“In the past, creating sustainable products that have adequate converting, printing and press performance has been a challenge,” says UPM Raflatac’s Conrad. “Through market research and leveraging of great supplier relations, UPM Raflatac has brought two unique – and high performing – sustainable paper labeling solutions to the market. These two product lines are our RafNXT+ and LabelLoop lines.”
RafNXT+ paper products are a group of standard paper products within the UPM Raflatac portfolio that bring a number of benefits to converters and end users, including high performance, waste reduction, and a reduction of overall carbon footprint. All RafNXT+ products are verified by the Carbon Trust to reduce carbon footprint when compared to the company’s standard paper range. UPM Raflatac has also promoted sustainability through its LabelLoop line of paper labels.
Wausau Coated has brought new textured paper materials to North America in its On Trend product line. In addition, the company introduced its Aged Agave 100% recycled fiber paper two years ago.
“Our R&D and marketing team has assembled the most sustainably attractive wine and spirits label we could build, too,” says Wausau Coated’s Sheibley. “That resulted in our newly introduced Estate Label #12 with our H-318 hybrid adhesive and filmic release liner made with 90% rPET (recycled polyester). We also have a new product that isn’t paper, however it is fibrous: Oak Veneer. Collaborating with our partners at Great Lakes Veneer, we now have Naturis Oak Veneer PS label materials available for 2022.”
The company also recognizes that owners of UV inkjet and hybrid presses would like to run a broader range of uncoated papers with texture and feel.