How PET recycling can be done even better

At Labelexpo (Hall 5, Stand C14), HERMA will be presenting a further milestone for the material cycle of PET packaging, which is so valuable because it is virtually closed. The newly developed label adhesive 72Gpw offers approximately twice the initial adhesion of conventional wash-off adhesives, with the same high final adhesion and, above all, the same good wash-off properties. The Cyclos-HTP Institute has already certified the 72Gpw adhesive in conjunction with various film and paper label materials. "We are thus giving label users another strong argument to tackle the changeover to a wash-off solution now. Because compromising on adhesion or wash-off is no longer necessary," says Hendrik Kehl, Product Manager at HERMA. "This is particularly important under challenging conditions, such as in high-speed labelling systems or when damp or cool environments come into play." In this way, the new label adhesive not only helps to ensure secure labelling. It also supports the recycling processes, where residue-free separation of the PET material from the label material, including adhesive and printing inks, is essential in order to be able to produce the purest possible granulate.

Stricter recycling requirements likely
The HERMA innovation has therefore come at exactly the right time. Because closing material cycles and therefore increasing the genuine recyclability of packaging: this is one of the most important goals of the planned European Packaging Regulation, the draft of which was published at the end of 2022. This will probably result in stricter specifications for packaging design. Special wash-off applications for labels have been around for some time - HERMA solutions are also already being used for this. But market penetration has generally been relatively slow so far. The industry association Finat, for example, has now also pointed this out: "Although these options are available on the market, the majority of labels currently in use are produced with permanent adhesives and not with the specially developed wash-off adhesives," it says in a statement dated July 2023. "We are continuously working on convincing label printers and users of this sensible path, because it is very sustainable," says Hendrik Kehl from HERMA. "The new wash-off pressure-sensitive adhesive is pointing the way in this direction."