BASF announced that its UV-curable acrylic hotmelt adhesive, acResin® UV 3532, received approval from RecyClass for use on PET bottle labels. The certification confirms that the adhesive is fully compatible with established European PET recycling processes under typical operating conditions.
During standard recycling operations, labels that use acResin UV 3532 as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) can be removed reliably. As a result, recyclers can maintain clean PET material streams, which is essential for producing high-quality recycled PET (rPET).
With this approval, BASF demonstrates that high-performance PSAs can meet strict recycling requirements while still delivering strong label adhesion and durability in packaging applications.
RecyClass: Supporting Design for Recycling Standards
RecyClass is a cross-industry initiative and recognized authority for recyclability assessments in the plastics and packaging sector. The organization helps packaging manufacturers and brand owners align their products with Design for Recycling guidelines, which aim to ensure packaging materials remain compatible with existing recycling infrastructures.
By securing RecyClass approval, BASF’s acResin UV 3532 provides packaging producers with verified assurance that their labeling systems comply with recyclability criteria used across the European market.
Addressing Sustainability Challenges in Packaging
The packaging industry is currently undergoing significant transformation. Stricter regulations, rising consumer expectations for sustainability, and increasingly complex material streams are forcing companies to rethink packaging design. Consequently, improving recyclability, reducing packaging waste, and increasing material reuse have become key priorities for brand owners and packaging manufacturers.
In this context, the RecyClass approval represents an important milestone. It confirms that the label adhesive system aligns with established Design-for-Recycling requirements under current European guidelines. Furthermore, with the upcoming implementation of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and its mandatory recycled-content targets, solutions such as acResin UV 3532 will help companies prepare for future regulatory compliance.
Enabling High-Clarity Filmic Labels for Recyclable PET Packaging
Traditionally, packaging designers have viewed high-performance filmic PSA labels as difficult to integrate into fully recyclable PET packaging systems. Such labels often interfere with recycling processes and affect the quality of recycled materials.
However, acResin UV 3532 offers a new solution. The adhesive enables high-clarity filmic labels that can fully wash off during the PET recycling process, ensuring that recyclers obtain clean PET flakes suitable for high-quality recyclate.
According to Mike Zott, Global Senior Marketing Manager in BASF’s adhesives business, the new adhesive technology opens up significant opportunities for designing recyclable PET packaging with high visual clarity and performance.
Combining Performance, Design Freedom, and Regulatory Compliance
BASF developed acResin UV 3532 by building on its successful track record in recycling-friendly adhesive solutions, including applications in high-clarity labels for glass bottles. Through this innovation, the company demonstrates how advanced adhesive technologies can support sustainable packaging design without compromising performance or branding flexibility.
At the same time, the solution enables brand owners, converters, and packaging producers to align with evolving regulations such as the EU’s PPWR, while continuing to deliver attractive and functional packaging. As per the press release, BASF’s latest development highlights how innovation in adhesive technology can play a key role in advancing circular packaging systems and improving PET recycling efficiency.
