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SATO Kitakami Operations to Recycle 19 Tons of Label Liner Waste Annually

SATO Kitakami Operations to Recycle 19 Tons of Label Liner Waste Annually


SATO Kitakami Operations to Recycle 19 Tons of Label Liner Waste Annually
1:45

Full-scale launch of recycling scheme at SATO Japan factory.

SATO Corporation, a global leader in auto-identification and labelling solutions, has developed and validated a recycling program for silicone-coated release liners, a byproduct of label manufacturing. Following successful trials, the company launched this initiative in January 2025 at its Kitakami Operations facility in Iwate, Japan. The program will recycle approximately 19 tons1 of release liners annually, transforming what was previously considered waste into a valuable resource and reducing CO2 emissions.

Kitakami Operation Recycling Liner

Release liner recycling process

  1. Liner waste produced at SATO Kitakami factory
  2. Shredding and pressing at recycler
  3. Recovered paper dissolved at the paper mill
  4. Resale by paper processor

The Kitakami factory, which produces adhesive labels, including RFID for SATO's global customer base, generates roughly 1.56 tons of release liner waste each month during label production. These release liners — the paper backing that protects adhesive labels — are traditionally difficult to recycle due to their silicone resin coating, leading to their disposal as waste.

In recognising its responsibility as a label manufacturer, SATO partnered with several companies to develop a viable recycling solution. This initiative reflects SATO's commitment to sustainability and resource conservation, working toward a circular economy that maximises resource efficiency while minimising waste.

SATO is committed to expanding its sustainability efforts by increasing recycling rates and exploring new ways to recycle various types of waste.

Reference
1 SATO internal estimate.

 

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