Herma expands certified wash-off portfolio for PET and HDPE recycling

Herma has expanded its portfolio of certified wash-off self-adhesive materials to include both PET and HDPE packaging streams. The company will present its complete range for the first time at the upcoming Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona.

The German adhesive specialist has received certifications from the independent institute Cyclos-HTP for multiple material combinations using its 72Hpw adhesive. For HDPE packaging, five labeling materials have been certified with the adhesive, which can be safely removed from rigid HDPE packaging even in cold wash processes.

'Our self-adhesive materials are developed so that they reliably enable labels to be separated from the appropriate packaging,' said Dr Stefan Kissling, head of adhesive and special coatings at Herma. 'This is a key prerequisite for a closed plastics cycle.'

For PET packaging, twelve combinations of the 72Hpw adhesive with different label materials, including paper, PE and PP films, have been certified by Cyclos-HTP for recycling paths 5, 5a and 5b, covering transparent PET bottles, other PET bottles and PET trays.

Herma has also received a letter of compatibility from RecyClass for one self-adhesive material and a positive assessment from the Dutch institute KIDV (Verpact) for two PP films with respect to HDPE recycling.

The 72Hpw adhesive is comparable in price to standard adhesives, with many certified materials available from stock in standard net width ranges. The company states that many labeling applications can be implemented quickly and flexibly, providing advantages for label printers and brand owners.

Several other self-adhesive materials from HERMA's portfolio are currently undergoing certification processes with various institutions.