PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2016

LABELLING 60 PET planet Insider Vol. 17 No. 10/16 www.petpla.net CCL’s Ecostream facilitates contaminant-free PET bottle-to-bottle recycling Without leaving traces Pressure Sensitive Labels are continuing their advance in the beverage market. The main advantages claimed for them are a premium appearance, wider design possibilities than other labelling methods, and optimised application and per- formance. CCL Label has sought to complement these char- acteristics with the development of new technologies that are intended to ensure a smooth post-consumption recovery and recycling process for containers and decoration. In addition to its innovative WashOff Labels for returnable glass bottles, CCL has already implemented a successful technology for one-way glass bottles with Eco-Emballage in France. EcoStream, CCL’s latest devel- opment in labelling technology, was developed with the intention of maximising the efficiency and facility of bottle-to-bottle recycling for PET containers with self-adhesive premium decoration. It enables the advan- tages of pressure sensitive labels to be utilised without being restricted by concerns over contamination from inks, adhesive or the label material itself. What CCL has done is to create a low-density label construction that makes the recycling of PET container and decoration much easier and more efficient. Easy, residue-free separation The EcoStream labels shrink in hot washing baths and detach from the PET material without leaving traces of ink or adhesive behind. While the label flakes float to the surface, the PET flakes sink, making separation of materials much easier. As the inks and adhesives stay on the labels, neither the washing bath nor the recovered PET are contami- nated or discoloured. CCL says that EcoStream labels meet the critical guidance of the two leading recycling associations: namely, EPBP (Europe) and APR (U.S.). Because the low-density mate- rial is cleanly separated from the PET flakes, valuable raw materials can be returned seamlessly into the recycling stream, ensuring complete reuse. The EcoStream technology thus helps to maximise both the yield and the quality of the B2B recycling stream. Intrinsic & Extrinsic Values Besides being beneficial to the recycling process, EcoStream labels offer the widest design possibilities currently available. CCL says that all types of labelling can be accommo- dated, whether clear or opaque, with special inks or varnishes. In order to guarantee reliable functionality CCL sought and achieved approvals from the recycling associations for an extended range, named EcoStream+, which features additional varnishes. These new developments support brand owner objectives and help them to meet the higher recycling require- ments from the food & beverage industry and from legislative authori- ties. CCL maintains that these develop- ments will help producers and bottlers in segments like premium water and juice & soft drinks to re-invent their market presence, while at the same time meeting recycling obligations without any restrictions on POS or consumer convenience. CCL says, that, in summary, EcoStream labels represent a “great leap forward” from an ecological, visual and operational perspective. The technology has already been favourably received by a number of leading beverage compa- nies. www.ccllabel.com