UPM launches premium label materials to enhance wine, spirits packaging durability

FINLAND – Helsinki-based UPM Adhesive Materials has introduced a new sample folder featuring five specialized label materials tailored for wine and spirits bottles. 

Distributed across Europe, North America, South America, and the Asia Pacific, the collection falls under the company’s Premium Performance lineup. 

These materials handle extreme conditions, such as prolonged exposure to ice water, while delivering high wet opacity, robust adhesion, and moisture resistance.

The folder includes printed samples with detailed artwork and embellishments to showcase visual effects, alongside unprinted sheets for testing adhesion and bottle application. 

Technical details on each label allow printers to evaluate performance directly. Designed for high-speed production, the materials support efficient converting and finishing processes.

UPM collaborated with design agencies to develop five label concepts inspired by regional beverages. 

Hot-stamping experts KURZ and H+M provided transfer materials and tools, while Grafical managed the printing. Partnerships with glass supplier Verallia and closure maker Vinolok ensured compatibility across the supply chain. 

Lisbeth Saarinen, senior manager for global marketing at UPM, noted that printers serving wine and spirits brands encounter strict demands for aesthetics and dependability. 

She added the materials ensure reliable operation from production through to end-use.

In a related development, UPM’s RW85C releasable adhesive earned RecyClass certification in September 2025. 

The approval confirms its suitability for recycling high-density polyethylene containers and polyethylene terephthalate bottles, aiding waste reduction in beverage streams.

In related news, Albertsons Cos. debuted its Bee Lightly private-label wine last fall in bottles made from 100% recycled PET, which weighs 87% less than standard glass equivalents. 

The lightweight design cuts transport emissions without sacrificing strength. 

Meanwhile, Frugalpac expanded its paper-based Frugal Bottle for wines and spirits, now adopted by U.S. producer Signal 7 Wines this year. 

Constructed from recycled paper, the bottle reduces carbon emissions compared to glass and supports full recyclability.

UPM’s folder equips printers to offer brands options that combine eye-catching designs with practical resilience. 

As the sector navigates premiumization, these tools enable faster adoption of durable, eco-compatible labels. 

Saarinen emphasized that consistent performance across the supply chain remains key to meeting consumer expectations for quality and longevity in bottled beverages

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