UPM achieves FSC and PEFC certifications

UPM Raflatac has achieved both FSC® and PEFC Chain of Custody certifications for a range of labelstock produced at its Tampere factory in Finland. The certificates verify the sustainability and legality of all wood fibres used at the Tampere site for the production of paper labelstocks.

"A clear chain of custody benefits everyone in the supply chain. Our customers can purchase paper labelstock knowing that their materials are sourced from sustainably managed, legally logged forests where consideration has been given to biodiversity. Retailers are able to demonstrate their sustainable credentials to consumers, who in turn can make responsible buying decisions. This is a typical instance of our firm commitment to the continuous development of our environmental performance," says Juha Virmavirta, General Manager for UPM Raflatac in Finland.

UPM Raflatac’s range of PEFC-approved products in Europe consists of the company’s Vellum, Raflacoat and Coated Board 130 materials, which target high-volume labelling in the food and retail industries and logistics end-uses. UPM Raflatac also offers a wide range of FSC and PEFC certified products for the A4 and cut-size market, together with a new A4 grade made from 100% recycled paper.

In addition to the Tampere site, UPM Raflatac has achieved a chain of custody satisfying both FSC and PEFC certifications for factories in Scarborough (UK), Polinya (Spain), North Carolina (USA), Illinois (USA) and Wroclaw (Poland), and FSC certification for a factory in Changshu (China). The Nancy factory in France will attain chain of custody certifications during 2011.

"This achievement is a strong step towards our dual aims of supplying customers with products that are sustainable over their lifecycle and increasing our range of eco-labelled products," says Robert Taylor, Environmental Director for UPM’s Engineered Materials business.

UPM promotes good forest practices through forest certification and supports the two main global certification systems used in the market today, namely FSC, the Forest Stewardship Council, and PEFC, the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes.