Avery Dennison unveils RFID label compatible with PET recycling stream
The new Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) label is the first in the industry to receive a Design for Recyclability recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) – making it compatible with North America’s PET system.
Avery Dennison has combined its proprietary CleanFlake adhesive technology, materials science capabilities and expertise in RFID to develop the innovation, resulting in a new proprietary RFID label that cleanly separates from the PET in the mechanical recycling stream, reducing contamination. This means brands adopting the RFID technology can ensure compatibility for the recycling of their PET packaged items.
Widely used in packaging across industries, PET is commonly found in bottles, food containers, cosmetics and other household products, making its recyclability critical to reducing plastic waste at scale. The use of recycling-compatible labels and adhesives can significantly reduce contamination, improving material recovery rates and overall recycling efficiency.
The proprietary RFID label has the potential to streamline the plastic recycling process by uniquely identifying each item, increasing the quality of materials recovered and extending PET life use. With 96% of the top 50 brands committed to recyclability and waste management targets, the novel label offers a solution towards achieving those goals by optimising supply chain efficiency and improving recovery as well as sortation rates.
Pascale Wautelet, vice president, global R&D and sustainability, Avery Dennison Materials Group, says: “RFID technology is essential for the effective and sustainable management of modern supply chains, supporting brands with greater inventory visibility, product traceability and loss prevention. APR’s recognition marks a pivotal step forward in advancing circular packaging and supporting the global transition to sustainable material use. As consumer goods companies set increasingly ambitious recycling targets, Avery Dennison remains committed to helping our customers reduce waste by investing in innovation and designing products that can be effectively recycled.”
Steve Alexander, president and CEO of APR, adds: “Ensuring packaging is compatible with the recycling infrastructure is critical. By increasing the recyclability of packaging, brands can not only reduce waste and meet their sustainability targets but also contribute to a more circular economy. Innovation and technology play an essential role in driving these efforts, enabling smarter packaging solutions that align with both environmental goals and evolving industry standards."
About Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison Corporation is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. The company is providing branding and information solutions that optimise labour and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. It designs and develops labelling and functional materials, radio frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital, and offerings that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Employing approximately 35,000 employees in more than 50 countries, the reported sales in 2024 were $8.8 billion.
Caption: Avery Dennison plans to make the APR-recognised technology widely available later this year to help brands meet recyclability targets while also working with independent certifiers to expand PET recycling certification across global markets. (image: Avery Dennison).
Source: Avery Dennison
www.averydennison.com