HERMA self-adhesive materials: Blue Angel environmental certification for self-adhesive material

• HERMA completes continuous cycle with especially environment-friendly materials.
• "In effect, we are reusing our own materials."
• Label material manufactured entirely from waste paper offers very high whiteness and purity.

HERMA is stepping up its commitment to environment-friendly products by using materials in a continuous cycle. For the first time, the Filderstadt company is now offering a self-adhesive material whose every constituent meets the acknowledged environmental standard, Blue Angel (Blauer Engel). The certification also recognises that it is made entirely from waste paper. In other words, both the label paper and the siliconised release liner are made exclusively from recycled materials. By obtaining this certified recognition of the self-adhesive material, HERMA has achieved its goal of establishing a continuous cycle with very environment-friendly materials. HERMA procures both of the sustainable paper codes from Lenzing, the recycled paper specialist, and also supplies production residues and waste to Lenzing, for use as primary materials in release liner production, through the Cycle4Green initiative. "In effect, we are reusing our own materials. Thanks to Cycle4Green, silicone-coated release liner is being usefully recycled for the first time," explains HERMA managing director Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner. The Blue Angel label, according to its website, is "The first and most well-known eco-label worldwide. Since 1978 it has been setting the standard for eco-friendly products and services selected by an independent jury in line with defined criteria."

High whiteness and purity
The self-adhesive material that has been awarded the Blue Angel consists of the white adhesive label paper HERMAlaser Recycling (code 167) and the white, one-side coated kraft paper designated HERMA KW (code 540). In view of its high whiteness and purity, HERMAlaser Recycling is barely distinguishable from copier/laser papers that are produced from virgin pulp, and its processing properties are similar too. It is bleached without chlorine and contains only the optical brighteners that are present in the recycled paper. "We have stated our ambition continuously to make tangible and measurable progress as we strive to conserve natural resources and take care of the environment," comments Dr. Baumgärtner. "The award of the Blue Angel serves to underscore this aspiration."