New Self-adhesive Label Material with a High Content of Recycled PE

Published: October 17, 2023

How Sustainability Can Become the Standard

Sustainable and cost-effective? A new self-adhesive label material from HERMA shows that this is feasible. The HERMA rPE white rv PE film (grade 857), which has just been launched, consists of 50 percent post-consumer recycled material (PCR). This comes, among other things, from the particularly problematic end consumer waste, which has risen sharply in recent decades. The other half is made of new plastic.

This combination enables a level of production costs that is close to that of a conventional standard PE film. As a result, a significant plus in sustainability is possible, even for price-sensitive projects. "The goal should be to initiate material cycles in such a way that as many recycled materials as possible are used," explained Hendrik Kehl, Product Manager at HERMA. "Flagship projects, in which costs only play a minor role and the proportion of recycled materials can also be 100 percent continue to send out an important message, but unfortunately do not often have a widespread effect. Although the use of recycled plastic is better for the environment and carbon footprint, it is still more expensive than new plastic due to the complex treatment processes. And for many mass applications, cost is critical."

Film Appearance Conveys the Recycling Idea

With HERMA rPE white rv, this opens a way out of a dilemma, especially since the film is versatile in its use. Its glossy, corona-pre-treated surface results in good print quality in all conventional printing processes. It can be used to produce optically pretentious, glossy and opaque labels, which should preferably be used on PE surfaces due to recycling reasons.

The recycled film is also suitable for subsequent labeling with thermal transfer printers; however, HERMA recommends preliminary tests in this case. The high flexibility of the film also allows for easy application on curved surfaces. With its so-called specks, the special film look of the HERMA rPE white rv (grade 857) makes the recycling approach visually clear. The size and distribution of the specks vary because they depend on the quality of the recycled material from the household-related collection of recyclable waste. The new film incorporates the adhesive 62Xpc. It has been specially developed for film labels.

Based on the multi-layer technology, it impresses with very good processing properties and far above-average adhesive properties. It is resistant to moisture, soaps and oils and is therefore particularly suitable for product labels in the personal care, cosmetics and household products industries. "This new film is therefore an absolutely competitive option for standard applications in every respect, but with the advantage that it is more sustainable than conventional materials," said Hendrik Kehl from HERMA.