Two Dow adhesive systems used for a broad range of polyethylene (PE) film packaging applications have been approved as compatible with mechanical recycling following a scientific evaluation by the non-profit, cross-industry initiative RecyClass.
The approval covers solvent-free Mor-Free L 75-300/ CR88-300 and water-borne Robond L-350/ CR-3 lamination adhesives1, which will add an adhesive component to the Revoloop technology platform from Dow, the company said in a release.
RecyClass assessments follow scientific protocols to present a comprehensive evaluation of the recyclability of plastic packaging. The assessments consider all criteria needed for a closed-loop value chain, looking at the most used technologies of sorting and recycling infrastructures used in Europe. This verifies that packaging is compatible with recycling or can be effectively recycled.
Dow says its customers can benefit from this external validation as they apply these adhesives in their mono-material laminated packaging designs. Value chain partners already using these well-established adhesive systems can now have an additional favorable data point when designing packaging for recyclability. Using these adhesives requires no changes to existing production processes, additional staff training, or retooling of equipment.
Fabrizio di Gregorio, technical director at Plastics Recyclers Europe said, “Innovation is key in furthering the circularity of plastics, but at the same time it is essential to ensure that these new packaging technologies comply with existing recycling systems. This is exactly what the RecyClass Recyclability Approval awarded to Dow’s technologies proves. We are delighted to work with companies like Dow and strive to support companies in implementing recyclability principles into the core of their strategic decisions.”
Sustainability is front and center of our innovation strategy and the main focus for our industry, said Izzat Midani, adhesives marketing manager at Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics EMEA.
“I am very proud that two different technologies in our laminating adhesives portfolio have been approved for mechanical recycling by RecyClass. This enables our customers and brand owners to reach a wider scope of applications and performance requirements while facilitating packaging recyclability, which will be crucial as they strive to achieve ambitious sustainability targets.”
This first European approval for Dow’s adhesives products follows last year’s Critical Guidance Recognitions in the US for three product categories that meet the recyclability protocols of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), in which Robond adhesives, Opulux optical finishes, and Surlyn ionomers from Dow were each recognized for solving packaging design challenges
The approved adhesives will be added to the Revoloop technology platform from Dow which is set up to help enable high-quality mechanical recycling through various product offerings in post-consumer recycled resins (PCR), and now also includes adhesives, that are engineered to deliver exceptional performance for customers.
The RecyClass Recyclability Approval is yet another important achievement towards Dow’s global sustainability targets. These targets align with the European recyclability targets, such as the EU’s Circular Plastics Alliance, the European Commission’s Plastics Strategy, and Circular Economy Action Plan.
Packaging and Specialty Plastics (P&SP), a business unit of Dow, combines core strengths of R&D, worldwide reach, broad product lines, and industry expertise to deliver high-performing technologies for end-use markets in food packaging, personal hygiene, infrastructure, consumer goods, and transportation.
