Page 53 - FINAT Yearbook 2015
P. 53
WINNERS 2015
The second edition of the FINAT Recycling Awards held during the spring of 2015 saw another strong field of contestants, with a number of returning participants putting in even stronger performances than in 2014. In the hotly-contested converter category, however, the honours went to first-time participant Helf Etiketten GmbH, with a particularly strong showing. The jury unanimously agreed that the maximum-capacity recycling of liner and the commitment of the company to communication on recycling internally and externally, backed up by press releases and newsletters, were exemplary. Combined with the great efforts by the company to reduce matrix waste and to trace the secondary material, the jury was happy to give the award to Helf Etiketten GmbH.
While the number of entries in the end-user category was markedly lower than in the converter category, the jury was convinced by Bel Leerdammer Cheese B.V.’s strong entry and in particular by its strong strides forward since 2014. Not only
did the company more than triple the tonnage of its recycled paper liner compared to the previous year, it also included release liner recycling as part of a certified quality system and stepped up its communication efforts.
We congratulate both winners and the other contenders with their accomplishments and look forward to the next edition of the FINAT recycling awards competition in 2016! A full report on the awards competition will be made available after the European Label Forum.
FURTHER INITIATIVES TO STIMULATE RECYCLING
As for other promotional activities, we are working on a progress report to show what the industry has achieved and the opportunities ahead. In addition, we’ll approach stakeholder associations and brand-owners directly to further speed up implementation of liner recycling. With the ever- increasing range of solutions for release liner and matrix material, we have more to offer than ever!
53
IMPORTANCE OF RELEASE LINER RECYCLING
WHAT IS THE PROPOSITION?
PAPER RECYCLING BASICS
Release liner is used as carrier for labels on industrial and consumer goods, and fulfils a crucial role in the manufacture, conversion and application of self-adhesive products.
Siliconised paper based liners consist of high-quality wood fibres, which are very suitable for recycling.
• But after fulfilling their role in this process, used liners still have a role to play as valuable feedstock for new processes and products. Currently, a small proportion of spent release liner materials is collected for reuse or recycling.
Upon collection, (siliconised) liner is repulped in water containing chemicals to release the silicones from the fibers. This process will be followed by a flotation process normally used for deinking/cleaning fibers of repulped printed papers. The same process is used to remove the released small silicone particles.
With the growing availability of sustainable and economically-viable recycling solutions, the growing cost of alternative disposal, as well as the increasing emphasis on corporations’ responsibility to society and the planet, this proportion can and should improve.
The pulp can then be used to produce new products, such as fine and specialty papers (e.g. release liner, label face, postal, copy papers).
Spent PET and PP liners are reground and granulated into plastic raw materials. Source separation from paper must occur.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
As the European association for the self-adhesive label industry, FINAT has set itself the target to support its member companies and their companies to explore and exploit common recycling solutions, and to provide the gateway to identify opportunities for collection and recycling.
This flyer gives you information on various aspects of release liner recycling and connects you to the platform from where to contact potential recovery and recycling partners.
• .. Has economic advantages:
Siliconized films are predominantly made out of polyester (PET) or polypropylene (PP) polymers and are generated particularly in the beverage and personal care product industries (PET), and in food packing and logistics (PP).
These raw materials can then be used for a wide range of applications, such as new silicone film, outdoor jacket insulation, and a variety of miscellaneous industrial applications.
WHY IS LINER RECYCLING IMPORTANT?
Because it pays to recycle. For the environment and for your business.
it provides a potential answer to present and/or prospective legal or market requirements in the context of government or corporate environmental sustainability programmes
In the past, release liner recycling faced three main challenges:
Various companies (see insert) now offer film and paper liner recycling to any company Europe-wide.
Release liner recycling:
• .. Is environmentally friendly:
• Required separate sorting of release liner
Whilst separate sorting of paper/ film liner is still required, these companies or consortia of companies can offer site-specific solutions for collecting used liner from your company, at a price that beats landfilling costs.
it contributes to the reduction of the ‘footprint’ of your label company, FMCG brand or private label in the face of growing concerns about the future of our planet and its inhabitants.
Take a look at the continuously developing solutions around, the success stories available, learn from their experiences and explore what the FINAT Recycling Portal can mean for your company!
• Limited awareness of release liner recycling
it offers the potential for the reduction of costs associated with the management of secondary release liner materials, compared to alternative disposal methods.
• .. Gives you a ‘license to operate’:
CHALLENGES
SOLUTIONS
FILM RECYCLING BASICS
If you have questions about release liner recycling or looking for more information, please visit the FINAT Recycling Portal at http://www.finat. com/en/Sustainability/Recycling- Portal.aspx, contact one of the companies in the insert, your own label supplier or the FINAT Secretariat.
• Collection logistics
If you wish to get started with recycling, contact them now!
FINAT YEARBOOK 2015 |
About FINAT
FINAT, founded in Paris in 1958 with headquarters in The Hague (The Netherlands), is the world-wide association for manufacturers of self-adhesive labels and related products and services. With 600 members in over 50 countries around the world, FINAT has much to offer to label converters and all suppliers to the labeling industry in terms of information exchange and the opportunity to network internationally.
LINKING THE
FINAT - the world-wide association for self-adhesive labels and related products P.O. Box 85612
NL-2508 CH The Hague
The Netherlands
LABEL COMMUNITY
T: +31 (0)70 - 312 39 10
F: +31 (0)70 - 363 63 48
E: info@finat.com I: www.finat.com
DISCLAIMER
Although the information in this brochure has been prepared with the utmost care, FINAT cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damages that may result in any manner subsequent to the use of the information by any user. FINAT cannot be held liable for any decision taken on the basis of information in this brochure.
LINKING THE LABEL COMMUNITY
RELEASE
LINER
RECYCLING
POSSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES