Avery Dennison has received the first RecyClass Technology Approvals for the PET Thermoforms recycling stream for its AD CleanFlake Thermal PP White S7000ER and AD CleanFlake Thermal PP White C7010ER technologies. The approvals confirm the compatibility of the label materials with existing European PET thermoform recycling processes, supporting the development of packaging designed for circularity.
The approved technologies combine a direct thermal polypropylene (PP) facestock with a releasable adhesive, enabling the replacement of conventional paper-based direct thermal labels used on PET trays. This solution enables the industry to retain its current setup of direct thermal printing equipment, while enhancing the recyclability of PET thermoform.
The Technology Approvals were granted following testing conducted according to the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for Labels & Lids Applied on PET Trays.
According to the RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines and EN 18120-5 requirements, labels should detach under caustic hot washing conditions and leave no significant adhesive residue on the tray surface to ensure compatibility with recycling processes. The ability of labels and adhesives to separate efficiently during recycling is essential to maintaining recyclate quality and process efficiency.
