May 11, 2023 - 3-5 minutes
FAQ: Understanding The First All-Temperature, Wash-Off Label Adhesive
Use this list of frequently asked questions to learn more about ClearCycle 1000’s value and how it supports PET recycling efforts for bottle to bottle and tray to tray applications.
As a label converter, you know the growing demands to increase your overall recyclability capabilities. However, to date, there hasn’t been a wash-off label adhesive available for PET applications in cold or freezing temperatures, making label recyclability a difficult task to accomplish effectively for all PET applications.
Therefore, Bostik developed Flexcryl™ ClearCycle 1000, a new, APR-approved, all-temperature, wash-off label adhesive that makes it easy to achieve high performance in these temperatures while meeting or exceeding PET package recycling requirements.
As with anything new, we know you may have questions before deciding to explore the capabilities of this adhesive innovation.
Use this list of frequently asked questions to learn more about ClearCycle 1000’s value and how it supports PET recycling efforts for bottle to bottle and tray to tray applications.
Therefore, Bostik developed Flexcryl™ ClearCycle 1000, a new, APR-approved, all-temperature, wash-off label adhesive that makes it easy to achieve high performance in these temperatures while meeting or exceeding PET package recycling requirements.
As with anything new, we know you may have questions before deciding to explore the capabilities of this adhesive innovation.
Use this list of frequently asked questions to learn more about ClearCycle 1000’s value and how it supports PET recycling efforts for bottle to bottle and tray to tray applications.
What are wash-off labels?
Wash-off labels are made of a soft polymer that is designed to stay adhered to the label during the sink float process, providing a clean separation between the label and PET package. They require using a wash-off adhesive to achieve wash-off capabilities.
Why did Bostik decide to develop an all-temperature, wash-off label adhesive?
By keeping our thumb on the market pulse, we knew that many converters wanted to use wash-off labels to meet increasing sustainability needs. However, they couldn’t use wash-off labels across all PET packaging applications. This is because, prior to our product, wash-off label adhesives on PET packaging materials only had a temperature range of 40°F (4.4°C) or higher, prohibiting their use on labels that needed to be applied at lower temperatures than that as well as labels placed in cold to freezing temperatures after the label was applied at room temperature. This meant that certain applications, such as cold fill, could not utilize wash-off labels.
So, we decided to make this possible. With all-temperature performance, ClearCycle 1000 is the first wash-off label adhesive on the market with ambient to freezer grade performance that includes wash-off capabilities for PET recycling.
So, we decided to make this possible. With all-temperature performance, ClearCycle 1000 is the first wash-off label adhesive on the market with ambient to freezer grade performance that includes wash-off capabilities for PET recycling.
For what applications can this adhesive be used?
Developed for PET bottle and tray applications, this wash-off label adhesive is compatible with thermoform, bottle and clamshell PET applications. The formulation also favors biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) facestock, so it provides clean PET separation.
I already have a general purpose (GPP) wash-off label adhesive. Why do I need this one?
Typically, a GPP adhesive can be used on any PET category 1 plastic while possessing good tack with quick grab capabilities. However, it lacks the performance capabilities needed to have tack and grab at temperatures below 40°F, which limits its applications
ClearCycle 1000, however, remains tacky with a good initial bond down to 0°F (-17°C), allowing you to use it for more applications than a GPP adhesive.
ClearCycle 1000, however, remains tacky with a good initial bond down to 0°F (-17°C), allowing you to use it for more applications than a GPP adhesive.
I already have a freezer grade label adhesive. Why should I consider this one?
Our all-temperature, wash-off label adhesive is proven to meet or exceed Critical Guidance Criteria by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR).
Additionally, this polymer provides better adhesion at a wider temperature range than typical freezer grade label adhesives, ensuring any cold-fill PET package bonding will offer high end-use performance. This is especially useful for cold-fill applications such as ice cream, juice or cold brew PET packaging applications.
Additionally, this polymer provides better adhesion at a wider temperature range than typical freezer grade label adhesives, ensuring any cold-fill PET package bonding will offer high end-use performance. This is especially useful for cold-fill applications such as ice cream, juice or cold brew PET packaging applications.
What value does purchasing an adhesive that already has APR-approval bring me?
Obtaining APR approval is an extensive qualification process that requires trial testing. Based on previous trial testing, the overall process can take a minimum of six months to receive the approval. In turn, this can result in delays for your production process and potentially additional operation costs if you opt to get an adhesive tested yourself. Further, if your product doesn’t meet the requirements the first time around, you may have to complete more testing and pay additional fees to try again.
With a wash-off label adhesive that is already approved for meeting or exceeding critical guidance criteria for PET recycling capabilities, you are purchasing an adhesive that has already passed key tests to meet the wash-off requirements without investing the time and resources to obtain this certification yourself.
Additionally, because you know your adhesive has already passed the necessary performance requirements, it reduces package failure likelihood related to adhesion when compared to products that don’t have this approval and have not already been tested to the requirements.
With a wash-off label adhesive that is already approved for meeting or exceeding critical guidance criteria for PET recycling capabilities, you are purchasing an adhesive that has already passed key tests to meet the wash-off requirements without investing the time and resources to obtain this certification yourself.
Additionally, because you know your adhesive has already passed the necessary performance requirements, it reduces package failure likelihood related to adhesion when compared to products that don’t have this approval and have not already been tested to the requirements.
How will Bostik’s wash-off label adhesive improve my production efficiencies?
ClearCycle 1000 is a coater-ready, fully formulated solution. This means you do not have to make any modifications to it prior to using it, which streamlines your production processes.
Available in drums, totes or bulk, it is compatible with standard water-based emulsion equipment, allowing you to use what you already own and keep investment costs to a minimum.
Further, when compared to other wash-off adhesives, it will perform at the same levels without requiring pretreatment, saving you time in your overall operations to deliver a finished product.
Available in drums, totes or bulk, it is compatible with standard water-based emulsion equipment, allowing you to use what you already own and keep investment costs to a minimum.
Further, when compared to other wash-off adhesives, it will perform at the same levels without requiring pretreatment, saving you time in your overall operations to deliver a finished product.
Why is Bostik's all-temperature, wash-off label adhesive valuable to me?
Our all-temperature, wash-off label adhesive provides you a solution to enhance your packaging’s overall PET recycling capabilities. With expanded temperature range, you can utilize wash-off labels across more PET applications, broadening your opportunities and sustainability impact.
You can also feel confident in your label’s recycling capabilities knowing ClearCycle 1000 is approved by the Association of Plastic Recyclers for meeting or exceeding Critical Guidance Criteria for PET recycling.
You can also feel confident in your label’s recycling capabilities knowing ClearCycle 1000 is approved by the Association of Plastic Recyclers for meeting or exceeding Critical Guidance Criteria for PET recycling.
Why work with Bostik?
Investment in Sustainability: Our latest innovation, ClearCycle 1000, is just one example of how our Bostik experts ensure our products are designed today to meet key evolving needs for reducing environmental impact. We are continually evaluating places in the market where we can address needs with adhesive solutions to enhance performance, improve production efficiencies and increase overall sustainability.
Commitment to Support: Our technical support team works directly with customers to test and customize formulations to ensure we are meeting your specific bonding needs.
Contact an Expert
Commitment to Support: Our technical support team works directly with customers to test and customize formulations to ensure we are meeting your specific bonding needs.
Ready to enhance your PET recycling capabilities with ClearCycle 1000, the first all-temperature, wash-off label adhesive? Contact a Bostik expert today!
Contact an Expert
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All information contained herein is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication, is provided “as-is” and is subject to change without notice. To review our full U.S. Legal Disclaimer, visit: https://bostik.com/us/en_US/privacy-policy/legal-disclaimer
All information contained herein is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication, is provided “as-is” and is subject to change without notice. To review our full U.S. Legal Disclaimer, visit: https://bostik.com/us/en_US/privacy-policy/legal-disclaimer