CCL Label has announced the launch of the next generation shrink sleeve made out of recycling-friendly polyolefin (PO) material in Southeast Asia. The low density PO material is suitable for flotation separation in the sink/float step at PET recyclers.
High-shrink version enables the switch from sleeves that are not sustainable
“The development of this high-shrink version of our award-winning EcoFloat shrink sleeve enables our brand customers to switch from PVC or PET-G shrink sleeve that are detrimental to recycling, to a more sustainable option made from polyolefin. This material is approved by recyclers and has been endorsed by RecyClass in Europe and APR in the United States”, says Marika Knorr, global head of sustainability at CCL Label.
“Polyolefin material was always believed to have a lower shrinkage than other materials but with up to 73% controlled TD shrinkage, the new generation sleeves are a fit for most packaging formats, mainly bottles, in the market”, says Ken Loh, Technical Manager at CCL Label Thailand. ”The shrink sleeves are suitable for both – steam and hot air shrink tunnels. The material has a high gloss and high clarity and is scuff resistant.”
The sleeve is also available in a white version called EcoFloat WHITE that was developed for light-sensitive products such as dairy, supplements or vitamins. T enables brands to switch from a white HDPE bottle that cannot be recycled back into food grade packaging to a transparent PET bottle that is food grade recycled. The lightblocking barrier is moved to the sleeve itself.
How does the sleeve perform in recycling?
The sleeve helps with the crucial sink/float process step in PET recycling because it is made from a low-density polyolefin material that floats. It automatically separates from the PET bottle flakes and the density separation is very simple and clean: the heavier PET flakes sink to the bottom of the container, while the floatable material collects at the top of the container and can be easily captured and removed. The recycler is left with high quality, clean PET flakes that can be recycled back into food grade packaging for the dairy and other industries.
EcoFloat is used by many big and small brand customers around the world and has won several awards such as the FINAT Sustainability Award 2023.