Recent developments are giving real substance to a future sustainability roadmap
The debate on sustainability has moved on. After a long time spent deciding what sustainability might mean for the label industry, we have seen a recent slew of practical announcements, which is starting to give some real substance to a future sustainability roadmap. These developments are given added urgency by a tightening legislative environment, in particular the EU’s Circular Economy directive.
Firstly, the European branch of the global CELAB initiative – tasked with achieving a circular economy for labels – has added more heavyweight material suppliers to its membership, with Lintec Europe now coming on board. More than 20 leading European companies have now committed to the group representing the entire label value chain, including raw material producers, labelstock producers and label converters. The consortium aims to develop a sustainable and circular business model for over 75 percent
L&L: What is CELAB and who can be a part of it?
Anzelma Hajro, marketing programs and compliance manager at Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials, CELAB-Europe Steering Group chairperson: CELAB stands for Circular Economy for Labels. The full name including tagline is CELAB, Towards a Circular Economy for Labels. This is the first global consortium dedicated to recycling in the self-adhesive labeling industry. Under the global CELAB umbrella, regional consortia are currently being set up. CELAB-Europe now has 20 members, mostly release liner and chemical producers as well as self-adhesive label materials producers.
Francesc Egea, director at IPE Industria Gráfica and former Finat vice president, representing Finat on the CELAB-Europe Steering Group: Finat has been representing the interest of label converters in the initial stage and is currently also hosting the European consortium. Our goal is to have label converters, label users and other parties from the value chain li
The Beacon
Oak Harbor-based ACPO Ltd., a leader in pressure-sensitive overlaminate products for the label and flexible packaging markets that has approximately 170 employees, was purchased for $87.6 million by Avery Dennison.
Avery Dennison has acquired the majority of ACPO’s assets, including coating, finishing and distribution operations at its Oak Harbor headquarters, 8035 Lake Winds Drive, as well as three finishing and distribution sites in Atlanta, Ga.; Oak Creek, Wisc.; and Vancouver, Wash. ACPO employees will transition to the Avery Dennison Label and Graphic Materials team.
“Our acquisition of ACPO will further strengthen our leadership in core label materials segments,” said Mitch Butier, Avery Dennison’s chairman, president and CEO. “By adding ACPO’s well-regarded and complementary overlaminate product, we are increasing our product portfolio and adding even more value for our customers.”