Seven UPMpackaging papers are now proven to be industrially compostable, marking another step on UPM Specialty Papers’ sustainability journey.

UPM Specialty Papers’ packaging materials are designed to be recycled into new paper products. In a perfect world, all paper would be recycled; however, when recycling is not an option, compostability of the packaging material gives an alternative to ensure a sustainable end of life for the packaging. Compostability is also one form of recycling, where organic material and minerals are returned to the soil.

Seven packaging papers have recently been certified as industrially compostable, according to the EN13432 standard – Barrier papers: UPM Prego, UPM Asendo; Coated one side papers: UPM FlexPack, UPM UniquePack, UPM UniquePac Strong; and Specialty kraft papers: UPM Solide Lucent.

The new compostability certification gives fiber-based packaging an edge compared to fossil-based packaging. While it is estimated that fossil-based materials typically take hundreds of years to decompose, fiber-based materials may turn into the soil within weeks.

The EN13432 standard requires that an industrially compostable material turns into fertile soil, biodegrades in less than six months, and disintegrates in less than 12 weeks in a temperature of 58°C ± 2°C.

“Compostability is something that consumers, brand owners, and converters highly appreciate”, Dirk Ryckaert, Sales Director at UPM Specialty Papers, points out.

“In some cases where recycling of a packaging is not possible, it is valued to have another certified and sustainable way to dispose of the material,” he says.

Fiber-based and recyclable packaging solutions from UPM Specialty Papers are a highly sustainable choice for food and non-food packaging. Renewable raw materials and recyclable products advance the transition to a circular bioeconomy, and our solutions respond their part to global sustainability challenges.

“From responsibly managed forests – the basis for our business – we produce high-performing fiber-based packaging solutions. Our papers are fully recyclable in existing fiber recycling streams, and have now proven industrially compostable as well. Our aim is to always ensure a sustainable product end of life,” states Susanna Hyrkäs, Sustainability manager at UPM Specialty Papers.

UPM Specialty Papers offers sustainable products with high-performance, fossil-free materials for packaging and labeling, and in APAC the most sustainable office and graphic papers available.

The UPM group delivers renewable and responsible solutions and innovates for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers, and UPM Plywood.