UPM Circular bioeconomy - Transforming the world of materials

Circular bioeconomy is at the core of UPM's Biofore strategy, enabling us to address the challenges of both climate change and resource scarcity.

The World Circular Economy Forum 2023 will gather together forward-looking thinkers and doers and present the game-changers in the circular economy. WCEF2023 is co-organised by Nordic Innovation and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, with international partners.

UPM is showcasing the UPM LinerLoop - RafCycle - ProFi collaboration at the expo area.

UPM Specialty Papers produces release base paper using fibres sourced from sustainably managed forests. During self-adhesive labelstock manufacturing, release base papers are coated with a thin layer of silicone to protect the pressure sensitive adhesive before the labels are applied. These silicone coated papers are called release liners. Thanks to UPM LinerLoop concept, used release liners can be de-siliconized, turned into pulp and used to produce new release base papers. To help achieve zero-waste targets across the value chain, industry-level contribution to recovering release liners is needed.

UPM Raflatac has developed its RafCycle recycling service, that collects label release liner waste back from over 400 Raflatac’s customers and label end-users at three continents. RafCycle transform the waste into either new label materials, paper or PET products, or other innovative circular solutions.

UPM Biocomposites is using the label waste as one of the raw materials for producing long-lasting and low-maintenance UPM ProFi composite decking. Recycled plastic based waste originated from European consumers is also used in the manufacturing process. The amount of recycled raw material can be up to 75%.

UPM LinerLoop

UPM RafCycle

Recycle your label release liner waste

Brands are setting ever-ambitious sustainability targets to enable circular economy. In the process of labeling products, the label release liner is a waste stream that is often overlooked. However, with RafCycle, you can put your waste to work.

Download a fact sheet

UPM ProFi

Deckings uniquely sustainable

True sustainability: many claim it, few live by it. A lot of composite and timber decking is shipped thousands of kilometers to Europe from the other side of the world. Others are made in Europe by mixing sawdust and plastic. We do better.We at UPM ProFi take Europe’s waste, its old shampoo and detergent bottles, its paper and plastic label waste and use it to make in Germany great new European products that can be recycled again.