As UPM Raflatac celebrates its golden jubilee, we reflect on a journey marked by innovation, sustainability, and growth.
Raf.Haarla's laminating machine, Jylhä III.
Our journey of becoming one of the world’s leading suppliers of label materials began in the 1970s when the first label material deliveries left the Raflatac factory in Finland. Now, 50 years later we celebrate the pioneering spirit of a young chemist Juhani Strömberg, who challenged the status quo by developing water-based adhesives, setting the stage for a future beyond fossils.
In 1976, the merger of Raf. Haarla and United Paper Mills gave birth to Raflatac, leveraging proprietary adhesive technology to produce label stock on an industrial scale. The end of the decade saw Raflatac exporting to Western Europe, marking the beginning of its global expansion.
First tests for label adhesives conducted by Juhani Strömberg.
Becoming part of UPM in 1996, Raflatac aligned with a leader in the forest-based bioindustry, furthering its commitment to sustainability. Today, UPM Raflatac produces high-performing self-adhesive paper and film products including label materials, graphics solutions and removable self-adhesive products for a wide variety of end-uses. UPM Raflatac employs 3,100 people and operates 12 factories and 21 distribution terminals worldwide.
As we look to the future, UPM Raflatac continues to innovate new concepts in sustainability and circular economy, capture growth opportunities and expand its product portfolio to new applications. The story of UPM Raflatac is not just about products; it's about the people, the partnerships, and the relentless pursuit of growth and sustainability. As we honor our past, we also look ahead, eager to continue our legacy of innovation and our commitment to a smarter, more sustainable future beyond fossils.
