With the new Technomelt EM 335 RE hotmelt adhesive, Henkel is launching a solution that is specially tailored to the requirements of modern recycling processes.
Conventional hot melt adhesives for labelling PET bottles can be are often insufficiently removed in the recycling process. Even in the hot sodium hydroxide bath, which is part of standard processing, often only 12 to 30 per cent of the adhesive dissolves. The result: contaminated PET flakes that impair the quality of the recycled downstream product due to clouding and yellowing or are no longer suitable for applications such as food packaging due to reduced barrier properties.
With Technomelt EM 335 RE, Henkel now offers an adhesive that is specially tailored to the requirements of modern recycling processes. It is lye-dispersible and can be removed up to 98 per cent. The residues are separated from the material flow together with the label residues.
Technomelt EM 335 RE not only impresses with its recycling properties, but also with its high performance. The hot melt adhesive solution is suitable for both paper and plastic labels, Reliably sticks up to 40,000 bottle labels per hour and scores with a low processing temperature of 110 to 140 °C. This protects the systems, saves energy and increases operational safety.
Thanks to a mineral oil-free formulation and food law conformity, the hot melt adhesive is also suitable for the most sensitive applications. The practical Packaging in so-called X-tra-Chubs ensures easy and safe handling and avoids packaging waste.
Already authorised by Petcycle in Germany, Technomelt EM 335 RE opens up new possibilities for a functioning circular economy and supports bottlers and recyclers, reliably fulfil the new regulatory requirements. This means that bottle after bottle can be reliably recycled - thanks to an adhesive that only sticks for as long as it is needed.
Source: Henkel Adhesive Technologies
