API Laminates Achieves FSC Accreditation

STOCKPORT, U.K.—API Laminates has become the first provider of laminated boards and papers in Europe to be accredited with the Forestry Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certification.

Paul Laskey, European business manager said, “Ethical sourcing is a key requirement to satisfy the business and brand values of our clients in premium branded products. This accreditation means that we can support printers and converters in retaining ‘chain-of-custody’ if carton packaging is to bear the FSC logo. This is the only true way a consumer can be certain they are buying a product with appropriate packaging that has been sourced from managed crops.”

The FSC accreditation is also an integral part of API Laminate’s new PortaBio product range, which has been developed and launched in response to the increasing demand from consumers, brands, retailers, and government for sustainable, biodegradable packaging which is easy to recycle and compost.

PortaBio is a patent protected bio-laminate made from natural cellulose-based fibers, sourced from managed forests with FSC certification. This is processed and laminated to provide a high-gloss metallic surface ideal for specialist and luxury consumer packaging. Until now metalized paperboard laminates, using metalized polyester films and in some cases polyethylene as the laminating adhesive, have been the materials of choice to create eye-catching packaging. Demand is increasing however for an alternative that offers an improved carbon footprint and which lowers the cost of waste management.

Andrew Stevenson, managing director of API Laminates, said, “The environment is now an essential element of the decision-making process, so the time is right for PortaBio. We believe that this product has the potential to be a very prominent material in the luxury carton market. With Portabio and API’s innovation skills, brands can maintain their differentiation and meet their environmental aims.”