Sabic (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; www.sabic.com) has supplied label manufacturer UPM Raflatac (Scarborough, UK; www.upmraflatac.com) with polypropylene certified to have been sourced from recycled ocean-bound plastics, resulting in the world’s first labels to be made from such materials.

Ocean-bound plastics are deemed to be such waste found in areas up to 50 km from waterways. According to environmental non-governmental organisation Zero Plastic Oceans (St Marie de Re, France; www.obpcert.org), ocean-bound plastics from uncontrolled refuse accounts for 80% of marine plastics litter.

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. The label’s materials are suitable for end markets such as household goods, personal care, packaged foods and beverages.

Related: Spanish seafood company uses frozen food packaging with polyolefins sourced from ocean-bound waste

Sabic and UPM Raflatac have partnered with Malaysia-based recycler HHI (Pasir Gudang; www.henghiap.com) and US film manufacturer Taghleef (Newark, Delaware; www.ti-films.com) in the project.

UPM Raflatac, whose sales in 2021 hit EUR 1.7 bn, has also announced the acquisition of German film maker AMC (Kaltenkirchen; www.amc-ag.net) for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1996 and privately owned, AMC employs more than 300 people and reported turnover of EUR 110 mn in its most recent financial year.