LABELLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 0/24 www.petpla.net 20 Henkel’s new hot melt adhesive for PET bottle labelling enables more effi cient PET recycling and cleaner fl akes Let go at the right moment PET is one of the few plastics that can be recycled almost infinitely – if all components cooperate. The adhesive that holds the label to the bottle is crucial to the quality of the recycled material. Anything that doesn’t dissolve during the recycling process leaves residue on the PET flakes. Henkel’s new hot melt adhesive, Technomelt EM 335 RE, has been designed to enable clean separation. Conventional hot melt adhesives, which are commonly used for PET bottle labelling, can be difficult to remove during the recycling process. Even in the hot caustic soda bath, which is part of the standard processing procedure, only 12 to 30 per cent of the adhesive typically dissolves. This can result in PET flakes with some contamination, potentially affecting the quality of the recycled material by causing cloudiness or yellowing. Contaminated flakes are also no longer suitable for applications such as food packaging due to their reduced barrier properties. Henkel now offers Technomelt EM 335 RE, an adhesive tailored to the needs of modern recycling processes. It is alkali-dispersible and can be removed by up to 98 per cent. The adhesive residue is separated from the material stream along with the label residue. This hot melt adhesive is claimed to be ideal for paper and plastic labels. It can bond up to 40,000 bottle labels per hour at a low processing temperature of 110 to 140°C. This aims to protect equipment, save energy, and increase operational reliability. Due to its mineral oil-free formulation and compliance with food regulations, the hot melt adhesive is suitable for even the most sensitive applications, says Henkel. Its practical packaging in X-tra chubs ensures easy and safe handling while avoiding packaging waste. PETCYCLE in Germany has approved Technomelt EM 335 RE. www.henkel.com LABELLING
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