Greg Hrinya, Editor11.29.21
The AWA & TLMI International Sleeve Label Conference & Exhibition, which took place from November 10-12, 2021, in Covington, KY, USA, near Cincinnati, OH, covered a wide range of critical label and package printing industry topics. From M&A activity to the newest products hitting the market, product experts delivered information to the near 300 attendees participating in-person and virtually.
A common theme throughout the event was the advancement of sustainable solutions. In particular, presenters discussed how their companies are engineering more environmentally-friendly shrink sleeve solutions for the market.
At the conclusion of the event, Reardon announced that AWA is launching its Sustainability Practice as part of its market research analysis and business development. This new segment will monitor industry developments around green productsand recycling initiatives.
“Sustainability is a key topic for us, and it was even pre-pandemic,” noted Corey Reardon, president and CEO of AWA Alexander Watson Associates. “It hasn’t taken a backseat, either, as it’s still a key driver for innovation, especially for the shrink sleeve market. Sustainability is probably one of the most important issues facing the labeling and packaging industry today. This is something we need to tend to for the long term.”
Linnea Keen, president of TLMI, promoted CELAB and the industry’s willingness to come together to find solutions for liner recycling and matrix waste. “We have enough people involved in CELAB that I think we’re creating real momentum for sustainability,” she said. “This is going on around the world, too.”
John Pogatschnik, North America marketing manager for Flint Group Narrow Web, identified the different roadblocks in recycling shrink sleeves. Each part of the package has the ability to help of hurt the recyclability of the package. These include the label technology, closure, dispenser, inks and coatings, and artwork.
“Recycling will only work if the solution fits simply into your existing operations,” said Pogatschnik. “These products must fit seamlessly into your existing operations. Sustainability without profitability is not sustainable.”
He adds that the label industry has a major impact in the reclaimer step. Label materials play a role in increasing the recovery yield of packaging flakes into recycled resin. Inks and coatings, for example, have two requirements: deink labels when the label materials get recycled, and resist ink bleed when the label is separated into the recycling stream.
Collaboration will play a key role looking into the future. “I don’t think we leverage suppliers enough,” noted Pogatschnik. “Your suppliers have been working on these solutions for years. They are involved in organizations focused on recycling and sustainability. We have all tested products and failed, and learned from those failures. We’re innovating all the time, and we’ve come pretty far, but we’re not done yet.”
Meanwhile, Marika Knorr, head of sustainability and communication at CCL, explained how Europe has approached the issue of shrink sleeve recyclability. According to Knorr, Europe has a 94% PET bottle recycling rate, and 37.7% of recycled material goes into new PET bottles.
“We need to move from a linear system to a circular economy, and we all need to work together to recycle as much as possible to prevent even more waste,” she said. “Traditionally, Europe has had a different approach to recycling than other parts of the world. I think we will see a lot of developments in the next few years in North America, South America and Asia.”
To meet the demand for sustainability, CCL has developed EcoFloat sleeves engineered for PET recycling. These floatable shrink film materials are made from transparent low density polyolefin.
“If you talk to recyclers, they will tell you 80% of recycling is sorting,” explained Knorr. “When developing EcoFloat, we partnered with Interseroh to run NIR sorting tests. We received APR Critical Guidance Recognition in Q1 2021, as well as other certifications across the globe.”
John Lyons, senior product manager at Taghleef Industries, added that his company has also launched a floatable solution to assist with recyclability. “Shape360 TDS 50 is designed to offer recyclability, versatility and shelf appeal,” commented Lyons. “TDS guarantees up to 65% shrinkage, and it is fully APR compliant.”
Randall Welborn, sales manager at Bonset, illustrated the current landscape and short-term goals and challenges during the event. According to Bonset, PVC shrink films usage continues to contract, and PETG shrink films see continued growth in usage. These shrink films see common usage with wide ranging container shapes types and markets
Recyclable shrink films are of interest, and usage is increasing, he said.
“In the last few years, we’ve seen continued increase and usage in recyclable shrink films, especially as a lot of large brands commit to sustainability and recycling goals, as well as creating a circular economy,” stated Wellborn. “We’re seeing PET labels with wash-off inks on PET containers, and sustainability is the logical step for the market to take.”
In the short term, some goals include developing viable alternatives to PVC films, as well as recyclable alternatives to PETG films. The challenge, though, is market needs are complex since different containers require different materials and performance, which have varying recycling processes. There will continue to be a delicate balance with cost and the opportunity for recovery.
“While there are recyclable options in the marketplace now, the R&D is not done,” remarked Wellborn. “We need to develop a wide range of offerings of sustainable films because market needs are complex. I expect to see a higher level of adoption for these solutions. There will be PVC alternatives to multiple crystallizable and floatable solutions, and a swing in next 3-5 years to more sustainable solutions like PETC.”
A common theme throughout the event was the advancement of sustainable solutions. In particular, presenters discussed how their companies are engineering more environmentally-friendly shrink sleeve solutions for the market.
At the conclusion of the event, Reardon announced that AWA is launching its Sustainability Practice as part of its market research analysis and business development. This new segment will monitor industry developments around green productsand recycling initiatives.
“Sustainability is a key topic for us, and it was even pre-pandemic,” noted Corey Reardon, president and CEO of AWA Alexander Watson Associates. “It hasn’t taken a backseat, either, as it’s still a key driver for innovation, especially for the shrink sleeve market. Sustainability is probably one of the most important issues facing the labeling and packaging industry today. This is something we need to tend to for the long term.”
Linnea Keen, president of TLMI, promoted CELAB and the industry’s willingness to come together to find solutions for liner recycling and matrix waste. “We have enough people involved in CELAB that I think we’re creating real momentum for sustainability,” she said. “This is going on around the world, too.”
John Pogatschnik, North America marketing manager for Flint Group Narrow Web, identified the different roadblocks in recycling shrink sleeves. Each part of the package has the ability to help of hurt the recyclability of the package. These include the label technology, closure, dispenser, inks and coatings, and artwork.
“Recycling will only work if the solution fits simply into your existing operations,” said Pogatschnik. “These products must fit seamlessly into your existing operations. Sustainability without profitability is not sustainable.”
He adds that the label industry has a major impact in the reclaimer step. Label materials play a role in increasing the recovery yield of packaging flakes into recycled resin. Inks and coatings, for example, have two requirements: deink labels when the label materials get recycled, and resist ink bleed when the label is separated into the recycling stream.
Collaboration will play a key role looking into the future. “I don’t think we leverage suppliers enough,” noted Pogatschnik. “Your suppliers have been working on these solutions for years. They are involved in organizations focused on recycling and sustainability. We have all tested products and failed, and learned from those failures. We’re innovating all the time, and we’ve come pretty far, but we’re not done yet.”
Meanwhile, Marika Knorr, head of sustainability and communication at CCL, explained how Europe has approached the issue of shrink sleeve recyclability. According to Knorr, Europe has a 94% PET bottle recycling rate, and 37.7% of recycled material goes into new PET bottles.
“We need to move from a linear system to a circular economy, and we all need to work together to recycle as much as possible to prevent even more waste,” she said. “Traditionally, Europe has had a different approach to recycling than other parts of the world. I think we will see a lot of developments in the next few years in North America, South America and Asia.”
To meet the demand for sustainability, CCL has developed EcoFloat sleeves engineered for PET recycling. These floatable shrink film materials are made from transparent low density polyolefin.
“If you talk to recyclers, they will tell you 80% of recycling is sorting,” explained Knorr. “When developing EcoFloat, we partnered with Interseroh to run NIR sorting tests. We received APR Critical Guidance Recognition in Q1 2021, as well as other certifications across the globe.”
John Lyons, senior product manager at Taghleef Industries, added that his company has also launched a floatable solution to assist with recyclability. “Shape360 TDS 50 is designed to offer recyclability, versatility and shelf appeal,” commented Lyons. “TDS guarantees up to 65% shrinkage, and it is fully APR compliant.”
Randall Welborn, sales manager at Bonset, illustrated the current landscape and short-term goals and challenges during the event. According to Bonset, PVC shrink films usage continues to contract, and PETG shrink films see continued growth in usage. These shrink films see common usage with wide ranging container shapes types and markets
Recyclable shrink films are of interest, and usage is increasing, he said.
“In the last few years, we’ve seen continued increase and usage in recyclable shrink films, especially as a lot of large brands commit to sustainability and recycling goals, as well as creating a circular economy,” stated Wellborn. “We’re seeing PET labels with wash-off inks on PET containers, and sustainability is the logical step for the market to take.”
In the short term, some goals include developing viable alternatives to PVC films, as well as recyclable alternatives to PETG films. The challenge, though, is market needs are complex since different containers require different materials and performance, which have varying recycling processes. There will continue to be a delicate balance with cost and the opportunity for recovery.
“While there are recyclable options in the marketplace now, the R&D is not done,” remarked Wellborn. “We need to develop a wide range of offerings of sustainable films because market needs are complex. I expect to see a higher level of adoption for these solutions. There will be PVC alternatives to multiple crystallizable and floatable solutions, and a swing in next 3-5 years to more sustainable solutions like PETC.”