PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2017

LABELLING PET planet Insider Vol. 18 No. 10/17 www.petpla.net 37 UPM Raflatec’s PO shrink sleeve film label can help to boost recycling rates Boosting recyclability A research study commissioned by UPM Raflatac and conducted by Plastics Forming Enterprises has established that the company’s RafShrink PO MDO 40 HS, a polyolefin- based shrink sleeve film, allows the correct detection and sorting of PET bottles in the recycling process, even when used as a full-body sleeve label. With their ability to provide a 360- degree product presentation, shrink sleeve films are one of the fastest growing label segments, growing at 5.5% per annum compound. They are expected to reach 12,750 million square meters in sales in 2018, accord- ing to AWAAlexander Watson Associ- ates. However, global brand owners are actively seeking ways to increase the recyclability of shrink sleeved PET containers to reduce their environmen- tal footprint. Comparing PO with commercial packaging “There is a lot of industry discussion about whether PET bottles labelled with full-body PO shrink sleeve labels can be recognised as PET,” said Kristi Hansen, Technical Director, Plastics Forming Enterprises, when present- ing the study to an Association of Plastics Recyclers’ (APR) techni- cal forum. “Our study sought to compare UPM Raflatac’s PO labels on clear PET bottles against commercial packaging. We compared the PO shrink sleeve labels’ detection and sorting performance to PETG shrink sleeves. The material stream was mixed with other label and packaging types, such as coloured PET bottles, thermoforms, black matte ther- moforms, aluminium and other comingled materials.” While much of the media attention has focused on boosting recycling rates, brand owners, materials recovery facilities (MRFs), and reclaimers are deal- ing with a weighty problem: contamination of the waste stream. Consumers may recy- cle everything, including trash, in a single material stream; PET material recovery facilities (MRFs) are operat- ing at capacity and can cost tens of millions to build; and PET bottles and label materials often can’t be cleanly separated. It has been claimed that up to 36% of plastic bales produced for recycling are not reusable and must be sold or recycled again. Sink or swim Optical sorters, sink float tanks and air separators identify and segment recyclables, but not as consistently as needed. Shrink sleeve labels pose a particular challenge. While their 360- degree product presentation is attrac- tive, these labels often cover the entire product, making it difficult during recy- cling to detect the material underneath. Optical sorters may “see” and sort full- body PETG-based shrink sleeves and PETG shrink sleeved PET bottles as clear PET. PVC and PETG labels, the typical material used for shrink sleeves, sink to the bottom of sink-float washing tanks in exactly the same way as PET and thus contaminate the recyclate. The resulting PET flakes are discoloured and hazy due to PETG and ink residues and are unsuitable for reuse in produc- ing crystal-clear PET beverage bottles. Floating to the rescue RafShrink labels, by contrast, were proven in the study float, due to their low-density PO material composition. As a consequence, it is very easy to remove RafShrink from the recycling stream, leaving clean PET flakes from the bottles to be recovered and reused. RafShrink’s removability, combined with the product’s detection rate of 92% in NIR sorting means that brand owners can more easily acquire the clean, clear recycled PET flakes they need for sustainable packaging, while still using full-body shrink films that drive product sales. RafShrink PO MDO 40 HS has also met two key industry requirements: Critical Guidance by Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), and by the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP). UPM Raflatec is one of the world’s leading producers of self-adhesive and shrink sleeve label materials. It sup- plies paper and film label stock for con- sumer product and industrial labelling through a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. The company employs around 2,800 people. It reported sales revenues of US$ 1.5 billion (€1.2 billion) in 2014. www.upmraflatac.com