UPM Specialty Materials has extended its barrier paper technology, previously used in the company’s packaging papers, to label face papers. The new grade, UPM Asendo 80, applies grease-resistance technology to labelling without the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation introduced a restriction on PFAS in food-contact packaging, which became applicable across the EU on 12 August 2026. Label converters serving food-contact and other grease-sensitive applications, such as olive oil packaging, require face papers validated to perform without relying on PFAS chemistry.

UPM Specialty Materials states that it does not add PFAS to its papers at any stage of production. Each grade is tested by independent, third-party laboratories, the company said, providing converters with documentation required for their own customers.

UPM Asendo 80 is compatible with a range of adhesive types and is suited to UV Flexo and UV-inkjet printing. It is available with FSC or PEFC certification and is said to meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration and German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment requirements for food-contact use. With this launch, UPM Specialty Materials has expanded its range to include an 80 gsm basis weight, typically used in label end-uses. Label converters can draw on UPM’s technical team for guidance on design considerations when adapting UPM Asendo 80 to a particular label format.

“Bringing our barrier technology from packaging into UPM Asendo 80 gives label converters access to grease resistance that has been validated over years of use in demanding packaging applications. It also helps converters grow and win by opening the door to higher-value label applications,” said Kirsi Lahtela, product manager, UPM Specialty Materials.

Converters evaluating UPM Asendo 80 for a specific end use can request samples for testing under their own production conditions, with support from UPM Specialty Materials throughout the evaluation.