PET is a recyclable plastic, but labels stuck on this material diminish the aesthetic quality of recycled PET (rPET): it is less transparent, which is not often sought after by manufacturers. So in 2013, Avery Dennison launched CleanFlake, a label that can be removed cleanly from PET packaging during recycling, without leaving residue. And the manufacturer has just improved this product.
"CleanFlake's adhesives allow the label to be separated from the PET packaging: the label will float with the adhesive and the PET will fall to the bottom of the tank in the conventional recycling bath. The PET can thus be recovered without adhesive or label residue." explains Laurent Owezareck, Regional Sales Manager at Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials, whom we met in Nice during the unfea's annual congress on October 14 and 15 .
This recycling bath is specific to PET processing. It contains a small amount of soda (1.5%) and a temperature of 65 degrees for the adhesive to peel off.
"The new version of the adhesive - named SR3011N - combined with new front ends allows the CleanFlake line to better address additional industries and applications." Previously reserved for the beverage industry, Clean Flake - which comes in white or clear - is now suitable for PET packaging in the food, home and personal care sectors.
