BASF’s RecyClass approval boosts rPET design

BASF has secured RecyClass approval for its UV-curable acrylic hotmelt adhesive, marking a step forward in enabling fully recyclable PET bottle labelling systems and addressing a longstanding challenge in packaging design.

The company’s acResin UV 3532 pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), developed for filmic labels on PET bottles, has been confirmed as fully compatible with established European recycling processes. The certification demonstrates that labels using the adhesive can be cleanly removed during standard recycling operations, allowing for high-quality PET recyclate streams.

For food and drink manufacturers, the development directly addresses a key barrier in PET packaging circularity. Traditionally, high-performance filmic labels — widely used for premium branding and no-label look designs — have been difficult to reconcile with recycling requirements, as adhesives can contaminate material streams or hinder separation processes.

BASF’s approved solution enables labels to fully wash off during recycling, supporting cleaner material recovery while maintaining the performance characteristics required for high-speed bottling and distribution.

Mike Zott, global senior marketing manager in BASF’s adhesives business, highlighted the implications for packaging design, noting that the technology “opens new opportunities for recyclable PET packaging” by allowing high-clarity labels that meet Design-for-Recycling criteria.

The approval comes amid increasing regulatory and market pressure on packaging producers. Upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements, alongside rising recycled content targets, are driving demand for solutions that enable closed-loop recycling without compromising brand presentation or functionality.

RecyClass, the cross-industry initiative behind the certification, provides standardised recyclability assessments aligned with European recycling infrastructure. Its validation of acResin® UV 3532 confirms that the adhesive performs effectively under typical industrial recycling conditions, including reliable detachment in washing processes.

From a manufacturing perspective, the innovation offers several practical implications. It allows converters and brand owners to retain premium label aesthetics — such as transparent, high-gloss finishes — while aligning with recyclability guidelines. At the same time, it reduces the risk of contamination in recycled PET streams, a critical factor in maintaining material quality for food-grade applications.

The development also reflects a broader shift in packaging innovation, where secondary components such as adhesives and inks are increasingly scrutinised for their impact on recyclability. While PET bottles themselves are widely recycled, achieving high-quality recyclate depends on minimising interference from labels and other attached materials.

BASF will showcase the technology at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, where it is expected to position the solution as part of a wider portfolio aimed at supporting circular packaging systems.