UPM extends barrier paper technology to label applications

(UPM, Helsinki, September 15, 2026 at 11:00 EEST) – UPM Specialty Materials has extended its barrier paper technology, first introduced in the company's packaging papers, to label face papers for the first time. The new grade, UPM Asendo™ 80, applies that grease-resistance technology to labelling without the use of PFAS.

The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduced a restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-contact packaging, which became applicable across the European Union on August 12, 2026. Label converters serving food-contact and other grease-sensitive applications, such as olive oil packaging, require face papers validated to perform without relying on PFAS chemistry.
UPM Specialty Materials does not add PFAS to its papers at any stage of production. Each grade is tested by independent, third-party laboratories, providing converters with the documentation required for their own customers.
UPM Asendo™ 80 is compatible with a range of adhesive types, is suited to UV Flexo and UV-inkjet printing, and is available as FSC™ or PEFC certified*, meeting the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) and The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) requirements for food-contact use. With this launch, UPM Specialty Materials has expanded its range to include an 80 gsm basis weight, typically used in label end-uses. Label converters can draw on UPM's technical team for guidance on design considerations when adapting UPM Asendo™ 80 to a particular label format.
"Bringing our barrier technology from packaging into UPM Asendo™ 80 gives label converters access to grease resistance that has been validated over years of use in demanding packaging applications. It also helps converters grow and win by opening the door to higher-value label applications," says Kirsi Lahtela, Product Manager, UPM Specialty Materials.
Converters evaluating UPM Asendo™ 80 for a specific end use can request samples for testing under their own production conditions, supported by UPM Specialty Materials throughout the evaluation.
*FSC C014719, PEFC/02-31-80

Link to images: https://materialhub.upm.com/l/zqWrZ--RpwWx

For further information please contact:
Säde Lindvall, Director, Marketing and Communications, UPM Specialty Materials, sade.lindvall@upm.com

UPM, Media relations
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UPM Specialty Materials
UPM Specialty Materials has over 40 years of experience producing high-performance, transformative papers for packaging and labelling. In APAC, we also offer office and graphic papers. Our global team of 1,800 experts and mills in China, Finland and Germany serve customers consistently and reliably around the world. upmspecialtymaterials.com

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UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,100 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €9.7 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
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