TAKEAWAYS
1. In relation to its Clean Future program, Unilever wants to reduce the environmental impacts of its Sunlight products
2. By choosing sustainable RAFNXT+ labels for all Sunlight bottles in Thailand, Unilever is taking positive climate action
3. RAFNXT+ label materials with thinner face and liner will benefit Unilever’s bottle converters as they have more label per roll resulting in increased productivity and less downtime
Unilever is a global company that sells fast-moving consumer goods under about 400 beloved brands. As a leader in sustainable business, the company has a purpose to make sustainable living commonplace through its Compass Strategy. One of the commitments Unilever has set is to halve its environmental footprint, including greenhouse gas emissions, cradle to shelf, by 2030.
Unilever has launched a Clean Future program that aims to reduce environmental impacts globally by moving from fossil raw materials to renewable or recycled ones throughout the creation, manufacture, and packaging of their cleaning and laundry products. Selecting UPM Raflatac’s sustainable RAFNXT+ label materials for its Sunlight products strongly supports this commitment.
Making smarter choices with sustainable label materials
RAFNXT+ is the world’s first label material verified by the Carbon Trust to help mitigate climate change. It offers companies like Unilever an opportunity to take positive climate action through a smarter choice and use of materials. RAFNXT+ paper faces and liners are FSC™ certified (FSC-C012530), and the paper fibres originate in sustainably managed forests and other controlled sources.
Unilever has multiple sustainability commitments embedded in its business, such as eliminating deforestation from their supply chain and reducing carbon footprint from their products. By choosing RAFNXT+ labels for all Sunlight bottles in Thailand, Unilever has taken a step towards its goal of reducing environmental impacts globally by shifting away from fossil fuels towards renewable resources. It also moves Unilever closer to its sustainability goals of Clean Future.
Benefits to converters
Apart from the environmental benefits, RAFNXT+ label materials bring more value to Unilever’s bottle converters when paired with thinner face and liner. This solution increases productivity by having more labels per roll meaning less downtime on roll change and more time on profitable label conversion and dispensing.
Other pressure sensitive label manufacturers may have corresponding thinner materials but the concept of RAFNXT+ is unique. UPM Raflatac’s calculation model is verified by the Carbon Trust and is in accordance with international greenhouse gas accounting standard PAS 2050.
RAFNXT+ product design starts from end use needs; its functionality is totally in place. Moreover, it combines smarter use and choice of materials which enables superior carbon performance compared to a standard label material.
Unilever is eager to hear more about UPM Raflatac’s sustainable packaging related product innovations and household product labels that can help the company to take positive climate action.
