PET Beverage Labeling
PET Recycling Certified Adhesives
Every year, millions of PET beverage bottles are purchased, used once, and then discarded, either for recycling or to end up in landfill. To drive the shift toward a circular plastics economy, guidelines and regulations are being implemented across the world to decrease this overall waste.
To meet targets of plastic recycling, consumption reduction, and PCR* mandates, PET beverage bottle design must support efficient recycling into high-quality PET, which requires ensuring that the paper or film label can be easily detached during the hot caustic washing process.
*PCR – post consumer recycled content
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PET certified adhesive solutions for Americas
Consumers worldwide are increasingly demanding a reduction in the use of single-use plastics, prompting governments to take action through legislation, regulations, and taxes aimed at driving change. In the United States, legislation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in various States and the consortium driven U.S. Plastics Pact have been introduced to address these concerns.
Members of the U.S. Plastics Pact are committed to making all plastic packaging 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025. Additionally, the recognition of APR (Association of Plastic Recyclers) standards as a key requirement for recyclability is referenced in most EPR legislation. As of 2024, seven states have introduced EPR-related packaging laws.
Clarity® PHL 4150, Clarity® PHL 4155 and our H.B. Fuller® Earthic™ 4000 series offer best in class hot melt labeling adhesive for wrap-around labeling with recognition from APR for caustic wash-off. It offers easy wash-off, maintains the label securely in place across a wide temperature range, and is transparent on the label.
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PET certified adhesive solutions for Europe
The design and recycling of PET beverage bottles is entering a transformative phase with the introduction of deposit return schemes in all EU countries plus the UK by 2028. Many PET bottles will require specified adhesives to support a recycling process that yields high-quality rPET, whether the bottles are intended for single or multiple uses before recycling.
The choice of label and adhesive plays a crucial role in this process. For PET bottles to be effectively reused or recycled back into PET, the adhesive must be designed to cleanly release off the bottle during the hot, caustic washing process.
H.B. Fuller has a portfolio of adhesives approved by PETCycle, Veolia and Returpack.
H.B. Fuller® Earthic™ 4000 series are designed for wrap-around of plastic labels on PET bottles with excellent wash-off performance according to PET Cycle and Returpack/Veolia standards. Labels are removed and separated from the PET bottles to allow for efficient regranulation and the production of new pre-forms. It is suitable for labeling speeds of up to 37,000 bottles per hour and offering superb adhesion properties on carbonated and non carbonated PET bottles.
- Its flexibility keeps the label in place on carbonated soft drinks across a wide temperature range.
- The light color makes the adhesive barely visible on the label and bottle, meeting the highest standards for brand integrity and label appearance.
Explore our video and podcast to gain comprehensive insights and learn more about our PET certified adhesive solutions.
Association Memberships
H.B. Fuller is actively participating in working groups to further the exchange of science-based information throughout the plastics value chain. The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) helps companies across the plastics recycling value chain with design for recycling guidelines, certification and more. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), of which H.B. Fuller is a member, collaborates with their members to understand shifting legislation and needs that affect the U.S. packaging industry. Efforts from these groups also include continued educational outreach and creating clear guidelines, such as APR’s Design® Guide, which ensures products are truly recycling compatible. How2Recycle labels on different types of packaging guide consumers on how to recycle certain items, whether it be to place recyclable items into curb side collection bins, bring items back to store or dispose of the packaging, or check local community recycling regulations.
