American chemical company Dow has announced that its INVISU 7007 wash-off pressure-sensitive adhesive has received recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR).
The company said this recognition has been awarded as its wash-off label adhesive has fulfilled or exceeded the APR’s most strict Critical Guidance Protocol for recycling clear polyethylene terephthalate products with filmic labels and closures.
The APR’s Critical Guidance Recognition is a recyclability assessment for plastic packaging, which is accepted widely and is awarded only to companies whose products address sustainable package design challenges.
Dow's Packaging & Specialty Plastics (P&SP) adhesives marketing manager Izzat Midani said: “Dow aims to close the loop by enabling 100% of our products sold into packaging applications to be reusable or recyclable by 2035.
“The APR certification for our INVISU 7007 wash-off label adhesive is a critical third-party validation which confirms that brand owners and converters can feel more confident in their choice to use our products to meet their sustainability targets.”
The INVISU 7007 label, according to Dow, comes with strong adhesion and tack qualities, as well as a high solid content for rapid processing on coating machines.
Developed to meet rising label recycling demands, this wash-off label adhesive serves as a high-performing general-purpose label adhesive.
The company said that INVISU 7007’s trials showcase that it is capable of allowing polyolefin-based filmic labels to separate at the time of recycling, specifically in the washing step to further ensure the production of pure flakes that can be used for making new materials.
Dow's P&SP adhesives application technology leader David Keely said: “Converters need reliable label solutions for efficient adhesion and high-speed production, while recyclers want as pure recycling outcomes as possible to increase their yields.
“When more applications are being made recyclable and better recycling outcomes are achieved, recycling rates will increase, fewer fossil fuels be needed, and everyone will benefit.”
