Henkel Shanghai Gains EU Accreditation for Paper Packaging Recycling

Henkel has strengthened its packaging sustainability capabilities in Asia-Pacific after its Packaging Recyclab laboratory in Shanghai received accreditation from the cyclos-HTP Institute (CHI). The certification allows the facility to conduct EU-recognized paper packaging recyclability testing and issue external assessment reports for customers across the region.

The accreditation gives packaging manufacturers, converters and brand owners in Asia-Pacific easier access to testing aligned with European Union requirements. It comes as companies prepare for the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which introduces stricter requirements covering packaging recyclability, recycled content, hazardous substances, reuse and extended producer responsibility.

Packaging exporters in China and other Asia-Pacific markets can now conduct recognized recyclability assessments locally instead of sending samples to European laboratories. This could reduce testing timelines, lower logistical requirements and provide companies with earlier information about whether their packaging designs are suitable for the European market.

Packaging Recyclab Shanghai currently follows two recognized European paper packaging recyclability protocols: CEPI/4evergreen and the CHI methodology. The facility forms part of Henkel’s expanding global Packaging Recyclab network, which also includes its laboratory in Düsseldorf, Germany.

The Shanghai site is integrated into Henkel’s global Inspiration Center network, allowing customers to work with technical specialists throughout the packaging development process. This includes concept development, material selection, testing, recyclability assessment and optimization.

Henkel said the new accreditation supports a shift toward designing packaging for recyclability from the earliest development stages. Packaging recyclability depends not only on the base material but also on adhesives, coatings, structures and other components that influence performance in actual recycling processes.

The company is also preparing to expand the Shanghai laboratory’s capabilities beyond paper packaging. Preparatory work is underway to introduce plastic packaging recyclability assessments, while the testing scope is expected to cover additional export packaging categories in the future.

Henkel executives said the accreditation demonstrates the company’s commitment to helping Asia-Pacific businesses meet increasingly stringent international packaging requirements. With large export volumes from China and the broader region, local access to internationally aligned testing could become increasingly important as European regulations evolve.

Beyond compliance testing, the Packaging Recyclab Shanghai is expected to generate technical data on packaging performance and support industry practices related to design for recyclability. The facility therefore provides customers with a more integrated route from packaging design and manufacturing to end-of-life recycling and regulatory compliance.

The development also reinforces Henkel’s position as a major supplier of industrial adhesives and a provider of sustainability-focused solutions across the packaging value chain.

Product impact: Henkel’s Shanghai accreditation should strengthen demand for recyclable packaging solutions, particularly paper-based packaging, recyclable adhesives, coatings and related sustainable materials. Local EU-standard testing can shorten development cycles and encourage packaging producers to redesign structures for improved recyclability. Henkel could therefore gain opportunities to supply higher-value adhesives and formulation solutions designed for PPWR compliance. Plastic recyclability testing planned for the facility could further expand this opportunity.