February 2021 – BOSTIK ’s selected Vitel® sealing polyesters and M-Resins® reclosing adhesive achieved certification of compliance with the Guidelines of Recyclability for Thermoformed PET Trays.
In the framework of the consultancy activity, in which the Foundation offers added-value services like recyclability assessments for certified and non-certified companies, BOSTIK ’s selected Vitel® sealing polyesters and M-Resins® reclosing adhesive achieved certification of compliance with the Guidelines of Recyclability for Thermoformed PET Trays by the PLASTIC SENSE Foundation and are approved for their use in processes and products to be certified under ECOSENSE and RETRAY schemes.
BOSTIK is a world-class leader in sealing and bonding technologies, with innovative adhesive solutions for multiple industries, including packaging, construction and consumer goods. As part of Arkema, Bostik develops smart adhesive solutions that make our world safer, more flexible and responsive to today’s challenges. With over €2 billion annual sales and over 6,000 people, Bostik is present in more than 50 countries.
When it comes to packaging, Bostik offers a broad portfolio of adhesives and sealants including labels, paper and carton sealing. More specifically for PET Trays, Bostik is a well-known solutions provider thanks to:
· Vitel® polyester based co-extrudable heat sealing resins and heat seal coatings for lidding films that seal directly on PET surfaces. They bring either a full lock-seal or else a convenient peelable easy-opening, with optional built-in antifog functionality.
· M-Resins® co-extrudable adhesive for lids reclosability. Bostik is the pioneer inventor and global leader of this technology with almost 20 years of experience. Trays reclosability also contributes to reduce food waste.
Bostik shares the core values of its mother company Arkema for whom sustainability and sustainable development are key aspects of their values and innovation strategy. Among other initiatives, Bostik integrates sustainability and recyclability fit in the design criteria of its bonding solutions for packaging. Bostik aims to provide customers and brand owners with recyclable solutions that are empirically tested and approved by recognized 3rd parties, so recyclability claims are backed by solid data. Therefore, approaching PLASTIC SENSE Foundation to obtain compliance to the Guidelines of Recyclability for Thermoformed PET Trays and approval for fit to ECOSENSE and RETRAY schemes for its products was simply a logical initiative.
These approvals for both selected Vitel® and M-Resins® products were obtained through tests performed by the approved recycler SULAYR GS on samples of top-sealed thermoformed trays featuring both products. Now, packaging manufacturers providing lidding films and PET trays as well as brand owners can count on these Bostik bonding solutions in their choice of raw materials. Because of this engagement and continuous work done to contribute to packaging circular economy, Bostik also obtained the approval by Recyclass that M-Resins® reclosing adhesive is compatible with the polyethylene (PE) film recycling stream.
By providing adhesives that comply with ECOSENSE and RETRAY, Bostik contributes to the final purpose of these recycling schemes of increasing the transformed volume of PET packaging waste. The recycled waste is subsequently incorporated into new trays, in food applications that have the same value as the original ones. Thus, it contributes to ensuring that 10 million tons of recycled plastics find their way into new products by 2025, in line with the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy.
More information on the collaboration between Bostik, SULAYR GS and the Foundation in this short video and in this extended version.