Wolf Oil partners with RafCycle to recycle label release liners

Wolf Oil Corporation, an independent lubricant company based in Antwerpen, Belgium, said it has started recycling its label release liners in partnership with RafCycle, reducing up to 40% of its general waste stream.

“Thanks to the partnership with RafCycle, we are able to significantly reduce the amount of residual waste, one of the goals outlined in our environmental action plan for this year. Moreover, thanks to collection and recycling option provided by RafCycle, we are also contributing to a circular economy. The launch of this project was received with great enthusiasm and we have noticed a real culture of change among our colleagues,” said Bjorn Van Dyck, HSE coordinator.

Label release liners are common materials used on bottle labels and are often mistaken as paper waste. In reality, release liners belong to the general waste category. Currently, the release liners used in labeling its motor oil bottles account for 30-50% of Wolf Oil’s general waste stream.

One of the world’s leading suppliers of label materials, RafCycle™ by UPM Raflatac creates high-performing labelling materials for branding and promotion, informational labels, and labels with functionality. Based in Helsinki, Finland, UPM Raflatac is part of UPM corporation, one of the biggest forest industry companies in the world.

The waste generated from bottle labeling at Wolf Oil’s headquarters in Belgium will be put into a closed-loop solution, where the recycled content is used for new label materials.

How does it work?

Label release liners can be de-siliconized and recycled into pulp and paper thanks to RafCycle. The company is able to utilize its extensive collection network to facilitate cost-effective release liner recycling. They offer closed-loop solutions where the recycled content is used for new label materials or other paper products.

Here’s how it works, step by step:

RafCycle recycling service collects label release liner waste at Wolf Oil’s headquarters in Hemiksem, Belgium. Their partner processes the release liner into recycled pulp or plastics.

Their raw materials supply partner makes new release liner stock from the post-consumer recycled (PCR) containing recycled materials.

They manufacture FSC™-certified (FSC C012530) laminate and PET or glassine release liner utilizing the recycled face and release stock, creating new label material from waste.

This liner will be used for new labels, which will be used in Hemiksem.