UK cellulose film manufacturer Futamura and Dutch labelstock producer Bio4life have partnered to launch a certified home and industrial compostable pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) label, designed to help fresh produce packaging lines eliminate conventional plastic fruit stickers.

The collaborative labelling solution combines Futamura’s NatureFlex cellulose films as the renewable facestock with Bio4life’s BioTAK certified home compostable adhesive technology. Suitable for fresh produce including apples, citrus fruits, avocados, and kiwis, the resulting label is fully renewable, food-safe, and engineered to break down cleanly in both industrial and home composting systems, as well as anaerobic digestion processes.

Tackling waste stream contamination

Traditional fruit stickers rely on fossil-based plastics and non-compostable adhesives. Because consumers frequently dispose of these small stickers alongside fruit skins, they create contamination risks in organic waste processing and anaerobic digestion streams, where conventional plastic fragments fail to break down. Fruit labels produced using NatureFlex films resolve this issue by breaking down completely alongside organic matter without compromising digestate quality.

Technical performance and converter compatibility

Engineered for high-speed conversion and application, the NatureFlex facestock provides key operational advantages:

• Substrate & finish options: available in clear, white, or metallised variants, offering high printability and a decorative finish with strong adhesive key.
• Machinability: cellulose films feature inherent anti-static properties and superior stiffness compared to alternative bio-based materials. This allows converters to run thinner grammages while maintaining precise die-cutting and high-speed dispensing performance.
• Barrier protection: resistance to oils and chemicals prevents migration through the label, protecting structural integrity and visual quality over time.

Urgency under PPWR

The announcement comes as the fresh produce sector prepares for the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) mandate, which requires compostable produce labelling by 12 February 2028. With the compliance date approaching, fruit packers and retailers effectively have just one remaining full harvest cycle to complete live trials and testing.

“Compostable fruit and vegetable labels are a great innovation that supports a truly circular economy,” said Gerard Benthem, sales manager at Futamura. “Bio4life and Futamura have a shared vision for the future of labelling, and we hope to help brands and retailers transition away from conventional plastics to renewable and compostable label materials.”

Marcel de Oude, co-owner of Bio4life, added: “Our home compostable adhesive technology BioTAK is designed to work hand-in-hand with renewable home compostable substrates like NatureFlex. This partnership showcases how collaboration can accelerate the shift toward packaging that supports a circular economy.”