The presence of adhesives and labels on paper and cardboard packaging often hinders recycling efforts, as these materials—referred to as "stickies"—can damage processing machinery or lead to the rejection of entire batches. With paper being one of Europe's most recycled materials, industry leaders are under pressure to improve sustainability as new European Union packaging regulations mandate that 70% of packaging must be recyclable by 2030, with that figure rising to 80% by 2038.

German firms, including Fraunhofer, Hermann Ultraschall, and Henkel, are leading efforts to develop alternatives to traditional adhesives. The Fraunhofer-led PAPURE project, established in 2023, is working on a laser-based heating process to seal paper without any foreign materials. Meanwhile, engineering firm Hermann Ultraschall has acquired rights to an ultrasonic sealing technology that functions similarly to welding. Both organizations are currently working to adapt existing production lines, noting that while the transition requires significant machinery modifications, the shift is necessary to meet evolving environmental standards.

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Henkel has taken a different approach by introducing a cold-seal solution designed for barrier-coated paper, which is suitable for food products that might be damaged by heat. This development addresses the challenge of sealing food-grade packaging while maintaining recyclability. Dr. Arianna Savini of Henkel noted that the industry is experiencing significant momentum due to the upcoming regulatory deadlines, emphasizing that a "system shift" involving the entire supply chain is underway.

Despite these technological advancements, experts caution that challenges remain. Jamie Stone of PA Consulting highlighted the complexity of creating secure, thin-barrier seals for items like yoghurt pots, while Ambarish Mitra of waste analytics firm Greyparrot pointed out that poor collection and sorting methods remain a primary cause for low recycling rates. Nevertheless, industry observers view these new sealing technologies as a vital step toward making paper-based packaging a more viable and sustainable alternative to plastic.

Source: BBC News