9 Jun 2022

SABIC collaborates with UPM Raflatac to launch the world’s first label material made from certified circular ocean bound plastic

UPM Raflatac’s new Ocean Action label is the first made using SABIC’s certified circular polyolefins for packaging label applications
Recovered ocean bound plastic (OBP) that has the potential to end up in our rivers and oceans is certified by Zero Plastic Oceans and Control Union
The value chain collaboration with UPM Raflatac demonstrates how ocean bound plastic can be brought back into a circular material stream for conversion into high quality packaging labels

SITTARD, THE NETHERLANDS, June 9, 2022 - SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has joined an innovative project with value chain partners to help UPM Raflatac launch the world’s first packaging label materials made from SABIC^® certified circular polypropylene (PP) based on advanced recycled ocean bound plastic (OBP). The label materials are marketed under the UPM Raflatac Ocean Action trademark.

“We are proud to offer our customers another more sustainable choice through the advanced recycling of used plastic that could otherwise end up in our rivers and oceans,” adds Lada Kurelec, General Manager PP, PET, PS, PVC, PU & Elastomers Businesses for Petrochemicals at SABIC. “These labels containing ocean bound plastic connect with our TRUCIRCLE^™ program of circular solutions designed to help reduce plastic waste, mitigate fossil depletion and protect our planet.”

Ocean bound plastic is abandoned plastic waste found in areas up to 50 km inland from waterways that may eventually be washed into the ocean by rainfall, rivers or tides. Zero Plastic Oceans, a non-governmental organization dedicated to addressing plastic pollution issues, has estimated that OBP from uncontrolled waste disposal accounts for 80 percent of marine plastic litter.

”The new innovative Ocean Action label material is the latest step in our beyond fossils journey. It does not only help prevent the plastic waste from ending up in the oceans but also offers brand owners the possibility to meet their recycled content targets for packaging. The Ocean Action label material is an easy-to-use drop-in solution created especially for food and cosmetics end-uses as it has exactly the same performance as the current fossil-based labels,” says Eliisa Laurikainen, Business Development Manager from UPM Raflatac.

The OBP used in the project is recovered by local partners of HHI, a Malaysia based recycling company. The sustainable sourcing, proper collection and management of the OBP is certified by Zero Plastic Oceans and Control Union. HHI converts OBP into a pyrolysis oil by using advanced recycling, and SABIC uses this oil as an alternative feedstock to produce certified circular SABIC PP polymer for further processing to film by Taghleef. Then, UPM Raflatac produces the label material.

The plastic waste used in the process value chain of making Ocean Action label material is certified under the Zero Plastics Oceans program, and the final label material under ISCC PLUS. This means that the material flow is controlled and tracked from the ocean bound plastic to the final packaging following a set of predefined and transparent rules.

The Ocean Action label material is available as White and Clear Top Coated PP films with RP37, RF37, and RP74 adhesives and PET 23 PCR and glassine liners. These label materials are a perfect fit for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), such as household goods, personal care, packaged foods, and beverages. Since the certified circular PP from SABIC performs the same way as comparable fossil-based virgin PP, the switch to the OBP material solution required no changes to the film and label material manufacturing processes.

SABIC’s certified circular polymers form part of the company’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services for circular solutions. The offering also includes design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified renewable polymers from bio-based feedstock and closed loop initiatives to recycle plastic back into high quality applications and help prevent valuable used plastics from becoming waste.

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Notes for editors

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ABOUT SABIC

SABIC is a global diversified chemicals company, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, making distinctly different kinds of products: chemicals, commodity and high performance plastics, agri-nutrients and metals.

SABIC supports its customers by identifying and developing opportunities in key end-use applications such as construction, medical devices, packaging, agri-nutrients, electrical and electronics, transportation and clean energy.

SABIC recorded a net profit of SR 23 billion (US$ 6.15 billion) in 2021. Sales revenues for 2021 totaled SR 174 billion (US$ 46.6 billion). Total assets stood at SR 318 billion (US$ 84.9 billion) at the end of 2021. Production in 2021 stood at 58 million metric tons.

The company has more than 31,000 employees worldwide and operates in around 50 countries. Fostering innovation and a spirit of ingenuity, SABIC has 10,090 patents and pending applications, and has significant research resources with innovation hubs in five key geographies – USA, Europe, Middle East, South Asia and North Asia.

ABOUT UPM RAFLATAC

UPM Raflatac is leading in sustainable labeling through our innovative self-adhesive label materials and services. We offer high-quality paper and film label stock for branding and promotion, informational labels, and labels with functionality. We operate a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. Our company employs around 3,000 people and made sales of EUR 1.7 billion (USD 1.9 billion) in 2021. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM. Find out how we are labeling a smarter future beyond fossils at www.upmraflatac.com.

Follow UPM Raflatac on Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram.

ABOUT HHI

Established in 2002, Heng Hiap Industries (HHI) is a fully integrated plastic recycling company, being the first in the world to receive Ocean Bound Plastic OBP certification co-developed by NGO Zero Plastic Oceans and Control Union. We collect used ocean plastics and transform them into manufacturable materials that are just as good as new and export more than 70% of our output to customers in 35 countries worldwide. Our quality is recognized globally. Besides receiving ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certifications, we are GRS certified for 100% recycled materials, and SMETA certified for social compliance. Learn more at www.henghiap.com.

ABOUT TAGHLEEF

Taghleef Industries Group is the leading, customer focused, supplier of films solutions to a global marketplace. With a manufacturing footprint in 11 countries on 6 continents, Taghleef Industries produces 500,000MT of specialized and multi-purpose films for flexible packaging, labels, technical and graphic arts applications. Film types include PP-based films, biobased solutions, and a new range with recycled content. Taghleef strives for product performance through R&D and innovations to create constant added value for its customers and stakeholders by delivering the highest levels of performance, quality, and service with a diverse range of products. Through Dynamic Cycle, its corporate holistic approach to sustainability, Taghleef Industries aims to look beyond the industry and focus on developing breakthrough solutions that impact people’s lives with today and tomorrow in mind. Taghleef Industries is the brand owner of Dynamic Cycle^™, NATIVIA^®, EXTENDO^®, SHAPE360^®, Titanium^™, DERPROSA^™, SynDECOR^™ and reLIFE^™ trademarks. www.ti-films.com