European label industry association FINAT has announces it has successfully concluded a series of four intensive workshops dedicated to establishing a reliable, harmonized industry approach to Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) calculation for self-adhesive label laminates and printed labels. With nearly 90 participants from around 70 organizations across the value chain engaging throughout the program, the initiative demonstrates the label industry’s strong commitment to environmental impact transparency and methodological alignment.

FINAT’s objective is clear: to develop a robust, cradle-to-gate PCF methodology that ensures consistency and credibility in carbon footprint calculations for labels.

The workshop series was structured to provide both strategic direction and deep technical alignment:

• Workshop 1 – Introduction and Definition
  A broad audience session setting the foundation, aligning on objectives, and establishing the scope of the project.
• Continuous Working Group
  A dedicated group of FINAT members ensuring ongoing progress and technical refinement.
• Workshop 2 – Goal & Scope Definition (1 October 2025)
  Focused on defining system boundaries (cradle-to-gate) and establishing methodological principles.
• Workshop 3 – Labelstock Manufacturing (25 November 2025)
  Deep dive into Module 1: Labelstock manufacturing processes.
• Workshop 4 – Converting Process (26 November 2025)
  Dedicated to Module 2: Converting manufacturing processes.

The program was delivered with the support of Sphera, leading experts in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), ensuring methodological robustness and alignment with recognized standards.

Strong Engagement Across the Value Chain

Participation included labelstock producers, converters, suppliers, and brand-facing stakeholders, reflecting FINAT’s commitment to inclusive collaboration. Feedback from participants underscored the value of the initiative:

• “It was a great workshop. You could tell from the quality of the debate how much knowledge was around the table.”
• “Having different perspectives from across the value chain at the same table was incredibly valuable.”
• “The collective know-how raised the level of the conversation.”

This level of engagement confirms that the industry recognises the urgent need for alignment in sustainability reporting and carbon transparency.

From dialog to deliverables

Importantly, the workshops were not merely discussion forums. The outcomes will define the next concrete steps in the development of FINAT’s PCF calculation framework. By facilitating structured dialogue, technical clarity, and consensus-building, FINAT is positioning itself as the platform where the European and global label industry can jointly address sustainability challenges in a pragmatic and science-based manner.

Empowering the Industry for the Future

As regulatory pressure and customer expectations around sustainability reporting intensify, the need for a harmonised and credible PCF approach becomes critical.

Through this workshop series, FINAT says it is:

• Enabling methodological consistency across the value chain
• Reducing duplication of effort for member companies
• Increasing trust and transparency toward brand owners and regulators
• Strengthening the label industry’s sustainability credentials

The strong momentum generated during these sessions demonstrates that collaboration is not only possible, but highly effective.

FINAT will now translate the workshop outcomes into practical guidance and next-phase actions, ensuring that the self-adhesive label industry remains at the forefront of sustainability leadership. Learn more here. If you are a FINAT member and would like to give your input for the project, write an email to [email protected] to the attention of Karla Pastor.