HERMA has achieved a significant milestone in recycling-friendly labelling by obtaining independent certification for seven self-adhesive label materials that can be completely removed from rigid polypropylene (PP) packaging during cold-water washing. The development is expected to support the production of cleaner recycled plastics and improve the recyclability of PP packaging.
The certification, awarded by the cyclos-HTP Institute under its CHI Recyclability Standard, covers six polypropylene (PP) label films and one polyethylene (PE) label film. The assessment follows the requirements of the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), specifically Category 12 for rigid PP packaging.
Seven Label Materials Receive Certification
The certified portfolio includes HERMAtherm PP el (827), PP plus (829), HERMA PP white super tc (881), PP white light (884), PP 50 transparent super tc (886), PP white 40 (892), and HERMA PE white (850).
These materials are designed for applications such as yoghurt pots, delicatessen containers, cosmetic packaging and logistics products.
A key factor in achieving certification was HERMA’s multilayer permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive technology. The PP films use adhesive 72Hpw, while the PE film uses 62Xpc, developed specifically for film applications.
Cold Washing Supports Cleaner Plastic Recycling
Removing labels from plastic packaging during recycling can be challenging, particularly when the label and packaging materials have similar densities. This is an important consideration in PP recycling, where conventional separation methods may struggle to distinguish between PP packaging and PP or PE label materials.
HERMA’s certified solutions allow the labels to detach during cold-water washing at 40°C. This enables the label material, along with the printing inks carried on it, to be separated from the rigid PP packaging during subsequent recycling operations.
Removing these potential contaminants can help improve the purity and quality of the resulting recycled plastic.
Supporting Recycling-Oriented Packaging Design
The development addresses a growing requirement for packaging solutions that are designed with their end-of-life processing in mind. As regulatory requirements for packaging recyclability evolve in Europe, brand owners, packaging converters and label printers are increasingly evaluating the compatibility of labels, adhesives and packaging materials with established recycling processes.
HERMA’s certification provides these stakeholders with independently assessed options for applications involving rigid PP packaging.
The company considers the certification an important step towards resolving a longstanding challenge in the PP recycling stream, where effective label removal is essential for obtaining higher-quality recyclates.
Advancing the Circular Economy
By combining reliable label adhesion during product use with effective removal during recycling, HERMA’s new certified materials demonstrate how adhesive technology can contribute to more recycling-compatible packaging systems.
The development also highlights the growing importance of considering labels and adhesives as integral components of packaging design rather than treating them as separate elements.
As the packaging industry continues to pursue circular economy objectives, innovations that improve material separation and recyclate quality are expected to play an increasingly important role in the transition towards more recyclable plastic packaging.