Research paper

Protocol on the releasability of labels and adhesives on PP and PE packaging

Publication date: July 15, 2021
Organisation: NTCP and KIDV

When recycling packaging, it is important that the material flows are as homogeneous as possible. In the recycling process, packaging is washed so that any product residues disappear and labels and adhesives are removed. In practice, however, not all labels and adhesives are removed properly during the washing process. The National Test Centre for Circular Plastics (NTCP) has therefore developed a test protocol for this purpose on behalf of the Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV).

With this protocol, companies can test whether the labels and adhesives they use on dimensionally stable packaging made of PP and PE release properly during the washing process. This can be tested in their own laboratory or at a test facility, such as the NTCP. KIDV uses this protocol as a supplement to the Recyclecheck Rigid Plastic Packaging.

The protocol is only available in English and consists of two documents. The first document describes the steps you need to take in order to carry out the test and the material you need to do this. The second document is a calculation tool in Excel. This offers an extra tool to follow the protocol.