CELAB-Europe has launched as a significant new initiative designed to create a circular economy for self-adhesive label materials in Europe.

The CELAB-Europe consortium is part of CELAB, a wider global self-adhesive industry initiative to create a sustainable self-adhesive labelling industry by offering technological options and providing education to enable matrix and liner recycling.

CELAB-Europe was created earlier this year by labelstock suppliers Arconvert-Ritrama, Avery Dennison, Herma and UPM Raflatac, and industry association Finat. Since then, nearly 20 players from across the label value chain in Europe have committed to support the initiative, including raw materials producers, labelstock producers and label companies. CELAB-Europe are Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Avery Dennison, BASF, CCL, Delfort, Dow Silicones Belgium, Elkem, Evonik, Fedrigoni Group/Arconvert-Ritrama, Finat, Henkel Iberica, Herma, Lintec, Loparex, Mitsubishi Polyster Film, Mondi, Siliconature, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers and Wacker Chemie.

By establishing a representative value-chain organisation, CELAB-Europe will work to identify and collectively scale recycling and reuse options for self-adhesive label liner and matrix materials. The initiative aims to develop a sustainable and circular business model for over 75% of the used liner and matrix materials in Europe by 2025.

CELAB-Europe has created a set of deliverables to be completed by 2025, which have been assigned to four interconnected ‘workstreams’:

  • Data mining – Geographical heat mapping of material usage to identify where materials become waste, and in what quantities;
  • Recycling solutions – Identifying, proving and supporting the development of sustainable end markets for repurposed/recycled liner and matrix materials;
  • Logistics – Connecting with the European transportation and recycling sector to develop and optimise collection systems for liner and matrix; and
  • Legal framework – To monitor and advocate the development of regulations and guidelines that support the development of a sustainable business model for recycling in Europe.

Finat will host the project, with management undertaken by Sloop Consulting, and who was also involved in the foundation and management of the flexible packaging consortium CEFLEX.

Finat president Chris Ellison said, ‘Finat has always been active in raising awareness about the recycling of liner and matrix materials, and in promoting successful recycling solutions. I am proud and excited that our industry is now leveraging its resources collaboratively to take this important opportunity to the next level. Only with a collective effort that is shared across the value chain can we make a difference and contribute our part to achieving a circular business model for the labels and packaging industry in Europe.’

Mikko Rissanen, director, technology at UPM Specialty Papers, commented, ‘Global brands and our customers want labels that support their goal for more sustainable packaging. Release liner recycling is one way to meet these goals. However, efficient collection of used release liners has been the industry’s biggest barrier to making the transition to a circular economy. We look forward to developing best practices together with other CELAB-Europe members, and promoting these globally in the next stage.’

CELAB-Europe exists alongside CELAB-NA and the global CELAB consortium.

Paul Nathanson, a senior principal at Bracewell LLP and spokesperson for CELAB, said, ‘The moment has arrived to create a globally focused platform for self-adhesive label recycling solutions. CELAB’s structure includes a global steering committee that serves as a ‘clearinghouse’ for best practices and solutions developed by CELAB-Europe and other regional branches that will be promoted globally. With increased recycling capability gradually emerging from suppliers, producers, waste management, mechanical and chemical recyclers and others, we see a tremendous opportunity to facilitate collaboration globally with partners up and down the industry’s value chain.’