Dow has garnered accolades for its INVISU™ 7007 wash-off pressure sensitive adhesive, with the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) acknowledging it as a solution that surpasses its rigorous Critical Guidance Protocol for recycling clear PET articles coupled with filmic labels and closures. This recognition from APR, renowned for its comprehensive recyclability assessment, is bestowed upon companies that contribute to sustainable packaging design by addressing key challenges.

Isabelle Uhl, R&D/TS&D Fellow at Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, emphasized the significance of labels in packaging: “Labels are a crucial part of packaging as they convey important information to the end user." Uhl noted that INVISU™ 7007 Water-Borne Label Adhesive offers a blend of high performance and recyclability, with the aim of obviating the need for trade-offs between the two. The focus remains on innovation to provide effective solutions that align with recyclability-oriented designs, fostering industry-wide sustainability efforts.

Balancing Performance with Recyclability

In label converting, maintaining production efficiency is paramount. However, with growing emphasis on sustainability from consumers and policymakers, companies are adapting to meet new standards, including recycling protocols. Presently, filmic labels can complicate recycling when not separated properly from labeled items. Wash-off adhesives have emerged as a viable solution, enabling clean label separation and thereby facilitating high-quality recycling outputs.

David Keely, Application Technology Leader Adhesives at Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, elaborated on the dual demands: "Converters need reliable label solutions for efficient adhesion and high-speed production, while recyclers want as pure recycling outcomes as possible to increase their yields." Keely highlighted the ripple effect of broader recyclability, where increased recycling rates lead to reduced reliance on fossil fuels and overall environmental benefits.

Dow's INVISU™ 7007 Water-Borne Adhesive tackles the challenges of label recycling while also enhancing label performance capabilities. The adhesive boasts robust adhesion and tack properties, coupled with a high solids content suitable for high-speed processing on modern coating machines. The innovation lies in its ability to function comparably to high-performing general purpose filmic label (GPFL) adhesives, while maintaining compatibility with improved recycling practices. Trials have demonstrated that INVISU™ 7007 wash-off label adhesive facilitates the separation of polyolefin-based (PE, PP) filmic labels during the washing stage of recycling, yielding pristine flakes for new materials.

Izzat Midani, Marketing Manager Adhesives at Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, emphasized the company's commitment to a circular economy: "Dow aims to close the loop by enabling 100% of our products sold into packaging applications to be reusable or recyclable by 2035." Midani highlighted the importance of the APR certification as an external validation that reassures brand owners and converters regarding their sustainable choices.

Dow's collaborative efforts extend to its Pack Studios innovation centers, where it collaborates with stakeholders across the value chain to optimize packaging and label technologies for recyclability. As a comprehensive supplier of both acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives and silicone release coatings, Dow is dedicated to helping clients enhance efficiencies in labeling and packaging.

To delve into INVISU™ Water-Borne Label Adhesives from Dow, click here. Discover this and other pioneering Dow label solutions at booth 7E41 during Labelexpo Europe 2023 in September.

Source:corporate.dow.com

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