Henkel has introduced Technomelt EM 335 RE adhesive, a hot melt technology solution aimed at helping the beverage packaging industry to meet increasing recycling demands. The alkali-dispersible adhesive achieves up to 98 percent removal rates, enabling label residue to be cleanly removed from PET flakes in processing. PETCYCLE in Germany has already certified the product, lending credibility to its contribution towards establishing a stronger circular economy.
Aside from its ability to recycle, Technomelt EM 335 RE adhesive is formulated for consistent performance on high-speed lines.
It can secure as many as 40,000 bottle labels per hour and operates at a processing temperature between 110 and 140°C. This lower heat requirement reduces energy use and protects machinery, while also supporting consistent production. Suitable for both plastic and paper labels, the adhesive is mineral-oil free and meets food safety standards. Henkel packages the product in X-tra Chubs, which are easier to handle and generate less packaging waste.
The timing is significant. PET bottles remain central to the beverage sector because of their strength, clarity and ability to be recycled repeatedly. Yet effective recycling depends on every component of the bottle working together. Adhesives that do not dissolve create residues on PET flakes, lowering quality. By contrast, Henkel’s new hot melt adhesive supports clean separation and helps ensure recycled PET meets higher standards.
European regulations are adding further urgency. Under the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), PET bottles must include 25 percent recycled content by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030. While more than 60 percent of PET bottles are already collected across Europe, studies suggest the system could recover more than 11 billion additional bottles each year if quality losses from contamination were avoided. Adhesives are a major factor in this gap.
Conventional hot melt adhesives are difficult to remove during the recycling process. In the caustic soda bath used during recycling, only 12 to 30 percent of traditional adhesive typically dissolves. The result is PET flakes with cloudiness, yellowing and weaker barrier properties. Such material is unsuitable for sensitive uses like food packaging. Henkel’s new hot melt adhesive Technomelt EM 335 RE, with its high rate of separation, provides an option that reinforces recycling results while assisting in regulatory goals achievement for the sector.