CCL Label, a global leader in specialty label, security, and packaging solutions, has unveiled EcoFloat® WHITE, a new version of its EcoFloat low-density polyolefin sleeve material. This innovation aims to enhance recyclability for light-sensitive products, particularly in the dairy packaging industry.
“EcoFloat WHITE will enable greater recyclability for dairy packaging and other light-sensitive products – we expect it to be a game-changer,” said Guenther Birkner, a member of CCL’s management team. He highlighted the challenges of recycling white HDPE bottles commonly used in the dairy industry and the significance of this new sleeve material in addressing these issues.
Marika Knorr, Head of Sustainability and Communication at CCL Label, emphasized the importance of legislation and industry trends driving the need for recyclable packaging. She noted that until now, many white HDPE bottles have not been effectively recycled for food packaging, but EcoFloat WHITE offers a solution by enabling the use of PET bottles with a white sleeve, ensuring full recyclability while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
The EcoFloat® sleeve material is designed to facilitate the recycling process, with the low-density polyolefin material floating and separating easily from PET during recycling. This separation process ensures that high-quality, food-grade PET flakes can be obtained for bottle-to-bottle recycling.
Norbert Fenkart, who heads the R&D department at CCL’s sustainable sleeve label center, highlighted the use of carbon-free inks for additional light-blocking properties, essential for dairy products’ freshness and shelf life. These inks ensure compatibility with standard near-infrared detection systems used in recycling.
The transparent EcoFloat® sleeve material has already been adopted by many international brands to enhance the recyclability of their packaging containers. The introduction of EcoFloat WHITE marks a significant step in CCL’s commitment to sustainable packaging solutions.