UPM Raflatac has expanded its Raflacoat Fit PEFC range for the European market with Raflacoat Fit Opaque Black PEFC. This thin, multi-purpose face paper offers an optimum solution for re-labeling price tags and product labels.

Raflacoat Fit Opaque Black PEFC is a self-adhesive label with a black opaque layer for easy and complete cover-up of old labels. Being able to re-label and reuse packages reduces the need for time-consuming repackaging, and also contributes to reduced costs and waste.

The label material is suitable for fast and efficient HP Indigo printing as well as conventional printing methods. Raflacoat Fit Opaque Black PEFC meets a variety of label converter needs with its thin face paper and optimum printability. The PEFC mark certifies that the wood raw material used to produce the product comes from sustainably managed forests.

"Companies require more adaptable solutions to keep costs down, while still ensuring that all business needs are met," explains Jouni Iiskola, Segment Manager for Food, Retail & Logistics, Specials, EMEIA, UPM Raflatac. "Our Raflacoat Fit PEFC range shows that competitive labeling solutions do not have to mean compromises on functionality or performance. Raflacoat Fit Opaque Black PEFC will allow retailers to get the most out of their stock and packaging, while also helping them meet their sustainability requirements."

New Thermal Top Food Fit PEFC 
UPM Raflatac's new Thermal Top Food Fit PEFC is its next-generation labelstock for prepacked food stored in chilled and moist environments. Designed to be an ideal choice for vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), it offers higher productivity, excellent print and conversion results, and a lower environmental impact over its life cycle.

Part of the Fit product range in the European market, Thermal Top Food Fit PEFC meets standard quality requirements for direct thermal printing, which means excellent print results and reliable scanning. It retains good strength to ensure reliable conversion and stable matrix stripping.

Compared to previous-generation products, Thermal Top Food Fit PEFC with RH9X adhesive and Honey Glassine 45 backing is thinner, allowing the use of longer reels, which translates to less reel changes, less downtime, and increased efficiency. Our RH9X adhesive delivers exceptional adhesion performance on MAP and vacuum packaging surfaces, keeping labels looking their best even in cold, moist environments like cold-chain delivery vehicles or in-store refrigeration cabinets.

Thinner face and backing materials also mean reduced raw material usage and label waste, lowering environmental impact over the product's life cycle. The HG45 Honey Glassine backing is made of PEFC(TM) certified wood raw material, originating from sustainably managed forests. Jon Lenck, Director, Business Segment VIP and Prime at UPM Raflatac EMEIA, shares that sustainability was a key consideration in product development:

"HG45 PEFC is thinner than the standard HG65 with excellent performance for conversion and end use. As well as reducing liner waste volumes and disposal costs, this also means a lower environmental impact over the whole lifecycle in terms of water and energy usage, as well as CO2 emissions."