{"id":13440,"date":"2022-10-07T18:38:24","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T18:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/?p=13440"},"modified":"2023-12-18T15:47:53","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T15:47:53","slug":"the-unavoidable-shift-from-paper-to-pet-liner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/the-unavoidable-shift-from-paper-to-pet-liner\/","title":{"rendered":"The Unavoidable Shift From Paper to PET Liner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well, guys\u2026here we go AGAIN!<\/span><\/p>\n

The labeling industry is about to be dealing with yet another rapid change that we\u2019ll have to adjust to.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the crisis this time? Another massive paper release liner shortage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The situation has become so disruptive that Avery Dennison recently referred to the current environment as \u201cinflationary and highly volatile.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

And yes, I know. We\u2019re all tired of hearing this type of news, too. But unfortunately it\u2019s unavoidable and we need to address things head on.<\/span><\/p>\n

So let\u2019s dive into the latest issue to see where our industry is headed:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n\n \"\"\n\n <\/div>\n

According to Kevin Clunie, VP of Sales & Marketing at Mactac,<\/span> 87% of the release liner consumption in North America is paper-based.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

However, continued supply chain shortages have created an unstable supply and demand environment for paper products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe industry has been growing, but the paper supply has been slacking,\u201d states Clunie, referring to the growing demand for release liner in North America, which was up 3.5% in 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The most recent causality of this is the shortage of paper-based liners.<\/span><\/p>\n

With few solutions available, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) quickly became the material of choice as a paper liner replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n

But why has it become the go-to product?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s because <\/span>PET is the closest alternative to paper<\/span><\/a> release liner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the liner shortage began, PET was promoted as a sustainable option for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But now, PET liner has become crucial for businesses to continue supplying customers and end-users.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe move of the moment is around supply,\u201d mentions Clunie. \u201cCustomers are going to PET out of necessity right now more than sustainability.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>