BASF’s recyclable adhesive gains RecyClass approval, enabling clean PET recycling, supporting EU regulations, and unlocking sustainable, high-quality label design possibilities.
Global chemical leader BASF has achieved a notable milestone in sustainable packaging after its UV-curable acrylic hotmelt adhesive, acResin UV 3532, received formal approval from RecyClass for application on PET bottles. This certification confirms that the adhesive is fully compatible with existing European PET recycling processes, marking an important advancement in the effort to improve recyclability across packaging systems.
The validation indicates that labels incorporating this adhesive can be effectively removed during standard recycling operations. As a result, the PET material can be recovered in a cleaner form, preserving the quality of the recyclate and addressing a persistent challenge in packaging design. Historically, pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) labels—especially high-performance filmic variants—have posed difficulties in recycling streams, often contaminating PET and reducing its reuse potential. BASF’s innovation effectively overcomes this limitation.
RecyClass, widely recognized for setting recyclability benchmarks across the plastics value chain, tested the adhesive under typical industrial processing conditions. Its approval strengthens confidence among packaging manufacturers, converters, and brand owners striving to meet Design-for-Recycling criteria. With sustainability becoming a central requirement, such certifications play a critical role in guiding material selection and packaging innovation.
According to BASF, the introduction of acResin UV 3532 enables the use of premium-quality, high-clarity filmic labels that can be fully washed off during recycling. This allows companies to maintain strong visual branding and shelf appeal without compromising environmental performance. The development is particularly significant as brands increasingly face pressure from regulators and consumers to adopt sustainable packaging solutions.
The timing of this breakthrough aligns with evolving regulatory demands, including the forthcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will mandate higher recycled content and stricter recyclability standards. These requirements are pushing companies to rethink packaging materials, making innovations like acResin UV 3532 highly relevant for future compliance strategies.
BASF positions the adhesive as a ready-to-implement solution that balances regulatory compliance with functional performance and design flexibility. The company emphasizes that such technologies enable brand owners and converters to meet sustainability targets without sacrificing product aesthetics or operational efficiency.
This development also reflects BASF’s broader commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles. The company has been actively involved in collaborative initiatives such as CELAB, which it helped establish in 2020 to reduce the environmental footprint of labeling systems and promote circular solutions on a global scale.
With RecyClass approval now secured, acResin UV 3532 has the potential to redefine PET packaging design standards. By eliminating a long-standing recycling barrier, the innovation transforms adhesives from a point of concern into a strategic advantage—empowering brands to stay competitive while meeting the next generation of environmental and regulatory expectations.
