With the spotlight firmly on the life cycle of product packaging and transportation packaging, it is more important than ever that businesses start looking at how they can make sure their own packaging meets the upcoming specifications to avoid being sanctioned.
So what is PPWR?
PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) is a new law that aims to reduce packaging waste within the EU. The main point of the initiative is that from 2030, all packaging (both product packaging and transport packaging) must be designed for recycling.
Under this law, any component used in a product’s packaging will need to be proven to be either recyclable or compostable. This includes adhesives. Even if the adhesive makes up only a small part of the packaging, can cause contamination in recycling streams and significantly weaken recyclability claims.
Prior to this, the first set of PPWR regulations come into effect from mid-2027, stating that certain packaging formats like fruit stickers and tea bags must be compostable in industrial composting facilities.
This has the potential to be a major problem in the label and envelope manufacturing industries. Pressure-sensitive adhesives are an integral part of their design and under this new law, normal options would result in a non-conformity.
Failure to comply with PPWR regulations could result in sanctions ranging from fines to refusal of product acceptance when shipping to other countries. To find out more about PPWR, check out our PPWR Q&A.
The biodegradable solution
Earlier this year, we expanded our range of biodegradable hot melts for the packaging industry. One of these new additions was Tecbond 902B-PL, a pressure-sensitive adhesive with a low viscosity aimed at manufacturers running high-speed production lines that need a multi-purpose biodegradable alternative.
Its low viscosity, coupled with high tack, means that smaller amounts of adhesive can be applied, without the risk of creep or adhesive failure, cutting down on production costs. Alongside this, Tecbond 902B-PL has good heat resistance when compared to other PSAs, so is suitable for use in warmer environments.
The formulation is also indirect food contact approved, making it ideal for not only food packaging, but also labelling on certain fruits, mainly those with a wax covering or waxy exterior.
Most notably, Tecbond 902B-PL, along with every other Tecbond biodegradable grade, is EN13432 compliant, meaning it classed as “compostable” in industrial composting conditions. To meet the standard, the adhesive needs to biodegrade by at least 90% within six months under these conditions, and disintegrate to a point no there are no visible fragments after 12 weeks. All of this means that when the used packaging enters the correct waste streams, the adhesive will break down at the same rate and under the same conditions as other certified compostable materials in industrial facilities.
Tecond 902B-PL has also achieved CHIRA assessment approval, confirming that it is benign within paper recycling streams and has no adverse effects on the pulping or recovery process.
How it works
The Tecbond biodegradable range has been formulated to begin biodegrading in naturally occurring environmental conditions, requiring only UV light, oxygen and heat to begin the biodegradation process. These elements initiate the breakdown of long-chain polymers and from this point onwards, only the continued presence of oxygen is needed to continue the breakdown.
After the long-chain polymers have been broken down, the matter is able to be consumed by micro-organisms in the same way natural waste is, eventually leaving behind non-harmful and non-impactful products, with no microplastics.
With the first set of PPWR regulations coming into effect in mid-2027, it’s more important than ever that manufacturers both understand and explore what options they have for making their packaging fully recyclable or compostable.
Tecbond biodegradable adhesives provide peace of mind by ensuring no compromises in bond strength, while adhering to upcoming legislations so you don’t incur any penalties or loss of business.
To find out more about our range of biodegradable formulations, visit our biodegradable page here: Tecbond Biodegradable.
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