(UPM Raflatac, Mills River, 4 February 2025, at 15:00 ET) - UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of self-adhesive paper and film products, and Corning Pharmaceutical Technologies, a division of Corning Incorporated, one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, have today announced the results of a collaborative study. The results show that a combination of the two companies' products performs well in a variety of challenging drug product storage conditions and offers significant sustainability benefits for pharmaceutical industry innovators.

Such performance is vital to the safety and integrity of pharmaceutical products and aligns with industry needs for durable and dependable packaging. In the collaborative study conducted at UPM Raflatac's North Carolina facility, teams from both companies combined pharmaceutical primary packaging and labeling solutions. The pairings were tested at room temperature, dry heat, tropical, and cryogenic storage conditions.

The combinations included Corning® Viridian® Vials, made of externally coated Type I borosilicate glass, and UPM Raflatac's Forest Film™ labels, alongside PHARMAGLOSS and PHARMALITE downgauged paper options. The product combinations performed well, showing that a pairing of Corning and UPM Raflatac products can hold up in tough environments. In particular, the labels demonstrated satisfactory adhesion across a variety of wrap angles and storage conditions applied in pharma packaging.

"We greatly appreciate UPM Raflatac's expertise in label technology and its rigorous methods in demonstrating the effectiveness of labeling solutions for our shared pharma customers," said Jessica Buday, Product Line Manager for Corning® Velocity® Vials and Viridian Vials at Corning Pharmaceutical Technologies. "This study represents an example of how important it is for pharma suppliers to collaborate and ensure our solutions are compatible in a way that meets customer requirements, particularly with the increasing demand for sustainability."

The tested pairing of UPM Raflatac and Corning products provided sustainability benefits without sacrificing performance. UPM Raflatac's Forest Film™ label is the world's first ISCC-certified wood-based plastic label material. This bio-circular solution reduces the use of fossil-based plastics and is made with bio-naphtha (mass balance approach), which is derived from wood-based crude tall oil, a residue of the pulping process. This product also provides up to a 42% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional fossil-based plastics.* PHARMAGLOSS and PHARMALITE downgauged paper options also reduce environmental impact through a reduced material weight. Additionally, Corning's Viridian vials use 20% less glass material than a conventional vial, achieving up to a 30% reduction in Scope 3 cradle-to-gate emissions.

"We're thrilled to work with Corning to help bring sustainability to the forefront of pharma packaging," said Sean Flanagan, Product Development Manager, UPM Raflatac. "Our shared customers can trust that these solutions are safe, effective, and tested to performance standards, offering them a smoother pathway to sustainable innovation."

For more insights into this collaboration, watch UPM Raflatac and Corning's recent "Transforming Pharma Packaging" webinar, in which representatives of the two companies discussed best practices for sustainable packaging along the value chain.

To watch the webinar and learn more, visit https://www.upmraflatac.com/news-and-stories/events/webinars/transforming-pharma-packaging/.

*LCA created 12/4/2024 with Label Life V3.2. Copyright © UPM Raflatac 2024 - This information is based on our most up-to-date knowledge and experience, but this statement does not constitute any warranty, expressed or implied. The LCA calculation principles were critically reviewed according to ISO 14040/44/67, and the process of generating LCIA results was validated by DEKRA in 2023. Includes content supplied by Sphera Solutions GmbH; Copyright 2024. Results are indicative and information is subject to change without notice.

Click image to download.

For more information, please contact:
Chris Price, Senior Communications Specialist, UPM Raflatac
Mon-Fri 8.00-15.00 ET
tel. +1828 620 7386
chris.price@upmraflatac.com

Vanessa Baca, Marketing Communications Account Manager, Corning Life Sciences
tel. +1339 222 9899
bacavc@corning.com

UPM, Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com

UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac offers high-quality self-adhesive paper and film products including label materials, graphics solutions and removable self-adhesive products. We operate 13 factories and deliver our innovative and sustainable products through our global network of distribution terminals. We are one of UPM's growth businesses and employ around 3,100 people. Our sales reached almost EUR 1,5 billion (USD 1,6 billion) in 2023. Find out how we are labeling a smarter future beyond fossils at www.upmraflatac.com.

Follow UPM Raflatac on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Fibres, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility, we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 16,500 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10,5 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore - Beyond fossils. www.upm.com

Follow UPM on X | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | #UPM #biofore #beyondfossils

Corning Incorporated
Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people's lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning's capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping its customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning's markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors, and life sciences.