Important Trends Impact Choices in Film Labeling for Pharmaceutical and Home & Personal Care Brands

UPM Raflatac shares valuable insights on how sustainability, brands’ strategies and market dynamics affect label choice.



Pharmaceutical Brands Need Strong Labeling Partners


Demand in the pharmaceutical industry has been stronger than ever. According to the Global Pharma and Cosmetics Marketing Report 2021 from IndustryResearch.co, stable and ambitious growth in this market is projected through 2025. This not only includes vaccines but also segments such as nutraceuticals and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. A secure supply of label stock is crucial if brands are to meet the growing global demand in these segments. 

Amplified by the pandemic, consumer safety continues to take precedence in the pharmaceutical market. Brands need customized change management agreements, instead of blanket statements from their suppliers. These agreements guarantee long-term availability of unchanged materials and a managed process to allow sufficient time for the re-qualification of new materials. As a result, pharmaceutical brands look for a trusted labeling solutions supplier that has created strict change management processes. 

 

UPM Raflatac’s strict change management processes enable pharmaceutical brands to adhere to their consumer safety standards.

In addition, pharmaceutical manufacturers are starting to recognize the need for sustainable packaging. The label is an easy way for these brands to begin their transition to sustainable packaging, especially if moving from a standard film label to one that is resource-optimized or contains recycled content. With large volumes of labels being used in pharmaceutical applications, the sustainability impact can be significant.

Home & Person Care Brands Seek Smart and Sustainable Solutions

An important trend impacting HPC brands’ packaging choices is interest in data-driven sales strategies. Brands seek to implement additional ways to collect sales data and personalize the customer experience. In response, labeling material suppliers are developing smart labeling solutions. One example is RafMore by UPM Raflatc, an innovative smart label solution that gives individual products unique digital identities and connects them to the web.

 

RafMore by UPM Raflatac is a smart label solution that enables brands to execute data-driven sales strategies.

Another trend in HPC packaging is the transition from standard fossil-based products to ones with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. As well, more packaging is being made from renewable raw materials. For example, UPM Raflatac is offering PCR PET release liner, face stocks with PCR content, and bio-based UPM Raflatac Forest Film™.

 

UPM Raflatac Forest Film is one solution that answers HPC brands’ growing need for more sustainable packaging and labeling.

Overall, the HPC industry is trending towards sustainable packaging because of three factors:

• More education and industry knowledge sharing about recycling processes and how to support them.
• Industry recognition of the importance of label compatibility with different recycling processes.
• Increasing concern with the impact that packaging is having on the environment.

UPM Raflatac – Strong Partner in Sustainable Labeling

UPM Raflatac offers a complete range of labeling solutions for pharmaceuticals, including migration-safe, tamper evident, tight mandrel/syringe, and cryogenic OTC/RX. The company makes a strong partner in the pharmaceutical packaging value chain because:
 

• UPM Raflatac supports its customers through a wideglobal network of factories and terminals,
• It secures its supply chain through qualification of multiple raw materials suppliers,
• It supports product qualification through technical support and on-press trials, and
• UPM Raflatac has extensive change management processes in place.

UPM Raflatac helps HPC brands to meet their sustainability goals with solutions like labeling materials with PCR content.

For the HPC market, UPM Raflatac focuses on sustainability innovation to address the needs of brands and consumers. UPM Raflatac’s sustainable film labeling solutions include the following:

• UPM Raflatac SmartChoice™ Wash-off products with RW85C adhesive. These solutions are designed to enhance the recyclability of PET containers and increase the amount of recoverable clean PET flakes that can be collected and converted into usable  raw material.

• UPM Raflatac Vanish™ PCR is a thin, clear film material with 90 percent PCR content. This material offers a no-label look and a reduction in the amount of plastic packaging used.
• UPM Raflatac Forest Film™ is the first 100 percent wood-based film labeling material. Its supply chain is certified by ISCC. HPC suppliers globally are using Forest Film to replace fossil-based film labeling.

For more information about UPM Raflatac labeling solutions, please visit www.upmraflatac.com.