UPM Raflatac is strengthening its position in the linerless labelstock market by scaling up its production capacity and building a new production line in Nowa Wieś, Poland.
Operations at the UPM Raflatac Wrocław labelstock factory started in 2008 followed in 2012 by the nearby UPM Raflatac Nowa Wieś factory. Located in Western Poland, these two factories today employ over 700 people and form a significant UPM Raflatac labelstock production hub.
The €13 million investment at the Nowa Wieś site includes a new linerless coating line, and increased slitting and packing capacity that will increase the company’s direct thermal (DT) linerless annual production capacity by 100 million sqm. The new production line is expected to be operational by the end of 2021. The result is a scaling up of its linerless production to take full advantage of the market opportunities for DT linerless printing.
Outlining the reasons for its investment, UPM Raflatac noted direct thermal (DT) linerless labelling as a ‘cost-efficient and sustainable alternative’ to traditional labelstock. Driven by sustainability trends and the need for increased efficiency, linerless has quickly gained ground alongside traditional labelling technologies. Boosted by growing demand in end uses such as grocery labelling, logistics and quick service restaurants, the DT linerless market has seen approximately 15 percent year-on-year growth in recent years.
Antti Jääskeläinen, executive vice president at UPM Raflatac, commented, ‘This investment in linerless is a natural continuation of our innovative product and technology development work and is a timely response to current market needs. Sustainability and efficiency benefits are significant as linerless brings up to a 40 percent reduction in material usage. This enables our end-users to improve their carbon footprint and reach their sustainability targets.’
