As Europe introduces stricter targets for paper and cardboard recycling, the industry is turning its attention to a persistent “sticking point”, the adhesives used in packaging.
While paper itself is highly recyclable, the presence of labels, seals, and coatings known in the industry as “stickies” can damage recycling machinery and degrade the quality of recycled batches. Currently, paper is one of Europe’s most recycled materials, with approximately 74 per cent of consumed paper and board recycled in 2024.
However, the European Union’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), taking effect this August, mandates that all packaging must be at least 70 per cent recyclable by 2030, rising to 80 per cent by 2038.
In response, three firms based in Germany’s “Packaging Valley” are developing technologies to eliminate adhesives altogether, reports BBC.
The Fraunhofer research organisation established the PAPURE project in 2023 to develop a laser-based heating process for sealing paper packaging. Fabian Kayatz, a researcher group leader at Fraunhofer, expressed optimism that the first solution could be on the market within two years.
Meanwhile, the engineering firm Hermann Ultraschall has acquired the rights to a patented ultrasonic paper sealing technology, which it compares to welding. Michael Baumann, the company’s head of business development packaging, confirmed they are in discussions with major market players to bring this technology into mass production.
However, adoption faces hurdles. “The packaging industry has existing machines which are all designed for glue materials,” Baumann noted, suggesting that significant redesigns may be necessary.
Volker Franke, another research group leader at Fraunhofer, believes existing machines could be modified by integrating laser modules.
A significant challenge remains for food-grade packaging, which requires protective coatings. Henkel, however, announced the launch of a cold seal solution in February that works with barrier-coated paper. This technology, which uses pressure rather than heat, is already being used in snack and confectionery products.
Dr Arianna Savini, market strategy manager for paper packaging Europe at Henkel’s adhesive technologies division, described the shift as a “system shift” requiring engagement across the entire supply chain.
Jamie Stone, a packaging expert at PA Consulting, cautioned that marrying recyclable paper with compatible sealants is complex, particularly for products like yoghurt pots that require multiple layers to maintain shelf life.
Ambarish Mitra, co-founder of waste analytics platform Greyparrot, argued that poor collection and sorting remain larger obstacles than glue. “A lot of paper and card doesn’t get recycled because it gets dirty or mixed in with other rubbish,” he said.
Despite these challenges, experts agree that these innovations represent a vital step. Mr Stone concluded that sustainability benefits will scale as these technologies mature to match the speed and cost of traditional plastic packaging lines.
