The focus towards sustainability is growing among brands, and a common goal among these strategies is the phasing out of PVC usage. This shift can be attributed to past efforts to remove PVC packaging, the acknowledged challenges associated with PVC recycling, and its potentially negative environmental impact.
Avery Dennison as an industry leader is committed to developing environmentally friendly products and reducing the carbon footprint while creating long-term value for their customers and end users. Among other things, that means innovating and operating in ways that positively impact people and the planet. One of the ways they are doing this is by introducing new PVC-free films across their product portfolio.
"PVC has always been a go-to material for graphics applications due to its conformability and durability, particularly in outdoor Applications. However, we believe it's time for the industry to continue to collaborate and reevaluate our material selection criteria," said Jordan Leach, Director Graphics Solutions, Avery Dennison for ANZ & ASEAN. "Environmental impact of a product should be a prioritised consideration along with performance, cost and application performances. The industry must continue to challenge our reliance on PVC and, where possible, seek materials that align with sustainability initiatives."
The PVC-free films at Avery Dennison are made without chlorine, phthalates, and other halogens. This reduces emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and makes PVC-free products safer for the environment and the people who handle them.
From Polyurethane-based Digitally printable premium films such as SP 1540 Ultra Clear to Digital overlaminates such as DOL 6460 and SL 4530 Anti-Graffiti, Avery Dennison already offers a range of PVC-free films for brands looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Our Latest film in our Sustainable Print Portfolio, the SP 3523 Opaque matte is designed for the short-term applications to provide a more sustainable alternative in a market primarily dominated by PVC products. Designed for use on flat and simple curved surfaces, it provides excellent opacity and a smooth, matte finish suitable for interior promotions. It is compatible with a wide range of printing technologies, including UV, and latex printing, giving customers the freedom to create high-quality graphics on the platform of their choice.
In conclusion, PVC-free films offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional PVC-based films. As an industry, we must continue investing in research and development to find alternative materials and better end-of-life solutions. Avery Dennison is leading the way in this effort. The company is planning to release many more new PVC-free films in the future that are not only better for the environment but also provide superior performance. Their new PVC-free films are just the beginning of a greener future for the graphics solutions industry.
