PET Design Guidance

Label selection should be carefully evaluated to find a solution that is most compatible with the recycling process while providing required performance characteristics. To be categorized as Preferred, a finished label must meet both of the following criteria:

1. The printed label will not interfere with automated sorting steps.
2. The printed label (inks and adhesives) will not affect the quality and quantity of recycled PET.

Link to Firsta

PREFERRED

Automated sorting performance criteria:

• For containers with a brimful volume of 550 ml or less, the surface area coverage of the label should not exceed 55%, and no metal decoration should be used on the label.

Surface area is calculated as the area of the label divided by the area of the side wall and shoulder of the container, excluding the neck ring, threaded finish, and base. Metal decoration includes vapor-deposited metal films, metal foils, or inks with metallic pigments.

Containers with maximum 55% label coverage are expected to sort accurately in both NIR and color optical sorters. Labels decorated with metal can be tested to assess any impact on sorting performance using APR Test Methods.

As PET packaging labels usually become waste, APR recommends minimizing the surface area and weight of labels.

• For containers with a brimful volume exceeding 550 ml, the surface area coverage must be no more than 75%, and metal decoration must not be applied on the label.

The same criteria for determining surface area applies as in the previous point, with the same exclusions and definitions for metal decoration.

Containers with no more than 75% label coverage are expected to sort accurately in both NIR and color optical sorters. Labels with metal decoration can also be tested for impact on sorting performance using APR Test Methods.

APR encourages manufacturers to keep labels as small in surface area and weight as possible, considering their eventual fate as a waste stream.

Film Labels must have a density of ≤ 1.0 g/cm³ or float according to PET-S-05.

Labels should utilize hot caustic-resistant inks designed to be compatible with PET recycling and should float in water.

Labels containing metalized materials that fall below the preferred surface area per APR-RES-SORT-4.

Metalized materials include vapor-deposited films, metal foils, or inks containing metallic pigments.

Polystyrene labels that float in water according to PET-S-05.

Although standard polystyrene has a density of > 1.0 g/cm³ and sinks, expanded polystyrene may float and can be separated from the PET.

Click below for commercially available Labels that have achieved APR Design for Recyclability Recognition

APR Design® for Recyclability Recognitions

DETRIMENTAL

Paper labels

The PET reclamation process involves a hot caustic wash that removes adhesives and other label components. This process breaks down paper into a pulp, which is difficult to filter from the liquid, significantly straining filtering and water treatment systems. Some small paper fibers can remain with the PET and carbonize during extrusion, leading to significant quality degradation. Non-pulpable paper labels that resist caustic washes sink in the float-sink tank, causing contamination of RPET.

RENDERS NON-RECYCLABLE

PVC and PLA

These materials are extremely difficult to remove during the recycling process due to their similar density to PET, causing them to sink in the float/sink tank alongside PET. Their presence leads to severe quality degradation in the final recycled PET stream, even in minute quantities.

REQUIRES TEST RESULTS

Laminated label substrate

Labels that break into small, thin pieces are challenging to manage in recycling processes since they act unpredictably in a float-sink tank. Therefore, intact labels are preferred. Carry-over of delaminated labels into the RPET can cause contamination.

For any label materials to be regarded as Preferred Design, they must have undergone testing and been found compliant based on the results. If such materials remain untested, they are categorized as Detrimental to Recycling. Testing will establish the appropriate category.

Companies exploring such materials and uncertain about their r recyclability should ask suppliers for APR test results.

DEFINITIVE TEST

Labels exceeding the surface area coverage described in the Preferred Guidance section.

Labels with high coverage may interfere with the detection of the PET container. The substrate (film or paper), as well as inks and metal decoration, can obstruct NIR detection when the label covers a large portion of the container. Moreover, high label surface coverage may lead to a clear PET bottle being misidentified as a colored bottle in color sorters.

If your design deviates from best practice guidance, the labeled bottle must be assessed using the APR test methods detailed below.

DEFINITIVE TEST - NIR

DEFINITIVE TEST - Color

Film Labels that sink in water according to PET-S-05.

Crystallizing co-polyester label films should be tested to demonstrate their crystallizing behavior and verify that they do not cause "clumping" similar to amorphous PETG films.

SCREENING TEST

DEFINITIVE TEST

Olefin films sinking in water due to heavy inks but floating after exposure to hot caustic wash solutions should be tested.

SCREENING TEST

DEFINITIVE TEST

Labels with metalized materials that exceed the preferred surface area per APR-RES-SORT-4.

Labels surpassing the preferred surface area criteria specified in the Screening Test must be examined using the Benchmark Test to confirm they remain below the spherical equivalent thresholds. Metalized material encompasses vapor-deposited films, metal foils, or inks containing metallic pigments.

Without further testing, labels with metalized materials exceeding specified surface areas are deemed detrimental due to the likelihood of being rejected during metal detection in sorting.

Solid foils will continue to render the package non-recyclable according to APR’s definition.

SCREENING TEST

BENCHMARK TEST

Polystyrene labels that sink

Given that the density of PET is 1.38 g/cm³, it sinks in water. Polystyrene, with a density of > 1.0 g/cm³, also sinks, causing it to remain with the PET during float/sink separation. It is incompatible with PET and can lead to severe processing and end-use issues.

SCREENING TEST

DEFINITIVE TEST

PET Protective Film

PET protective film, known as biaxially oriented polyester film (polyethylene terephthalate), has a density of 1.4 g/cm³. It is composed of PET as the base material, coated with acrylic (or silicone, etc.) adhesive on one side and laminated with a release film.

The PET protective film production line employs acrylic glue and silicone, with acrylic glue being the primary component. The glue's performance is stable, offering good temperature and weather resistance. Our regular product's viscosity typically remains below 60g, although we can customize to meet specific customer viscosity needs. We also produce PET grid and plain PET protective films upon request.

The use of PET protective film is ideal for protecting target products during processing and transportation. It also serves as a principal material for packaging finished products.

Features of PET Protective Film

PET exhibits several advantageous properties, including good abrasion resistance, tensile strength, solvent resistance, and light transmittance. The film adheres well, is easy to apply, can be peeled off without leaving residual glue, and offers various adhesion options. It is broadly applicable across different materials, components, intermediary goods, and final products.

Wikipedia

Polyester film

Metallized boPET film, consisting of 32 layers of approximately 14 μm thickness each, is a notable example of advanced polyester film. Biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET) possesses high tensile strength, chemical stability, and excellent clarity.

For further insights into Metallized PET Sheet Manufacturer, please feel free to reach out.

PET Film - Laser Cutting, Engraving & Marking

PET film, a thermoplastic polyester, can be efficiently laser cut, marked, and engraved. The chemical designation for PET is polyethylene terephthalate. Laser cutting of PET film can be executed with either a 9.3 or 10.6 micron wavelength CO2 laser, while laser marking requires a 9.3 micron CO2 laser. The 9.3 micron laser wavelength is well absorbed at the film surface, resulting in a white frosted surface mark that preserves the integrity of the PET film.

For more information, please visit Metallized PET Sheet Supplier.