Sustainable Converting
Why adhesives can make or break sustainability claims
By Alex Zulewski, commercial manager at Power Adhesives
W hen we think about
sustainability, most of the focus understandably falls on the big-ticket materials, such as the
cartons, films, trays, or liners that make up the bulk of a package. Yet hidden in plain sight is one of the smallest components that can have a disproportionate impact on a pack’s sustainability credentials - the adhesive. Adhesives rarely account for more than a fraction of a pack’s total weight. They are, however, essential for making that pack functional, holding together flaps, laminates, labels and windows. The problem is that under emerging regulations such as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), even a small non-compliant element can undermine a brand’s sustainability claims.
WHY ADHESIVES MATTER In recycling or composting facilities, adhesives do not simply disappear. If they are incompatible with the recycling process, they can gum up pulping systems, clog screens, or reduce recovery rates. If they fail compostability standards, they can leave behind microplastics or toxic residues. This not only damages the environmental performance of the pack but also risks rejection from recyclers or composters.
Take compostable packaging as an example. EN 13432, the European standard for compostability, sets strict requirements for all materials in the pack, including adhesives. To be certified, the adhesive must biodegrade by at least 90 per cent within six months under controlled composting conditions, disintegrate without leaving visible fragments after 12 weeks, and leave no harmful residues. If an adhesive does not meet these requirements, the entire pack can lose its “compostable” status.
Similarly, in paper and board recycling,
adhesives that fail to disperse or wash out cleanly can create ‘stickies’. These can clog machinery, reduce yield and drive up costs for recyclers. In some cases, they can mean an otherwise recyclable board pack is downgraded or rejected.
COMPLIANCE RISKS FOR CONVERTERS For converters, the implications of this are serious. The packaging industry is entering a period of much stricter scrutiny, not only under PPWR but also under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes that shift the financial burden of packaging waste onto producers. Packaging that fails to meet recyclability or compostability requirements may not only carry reputational risks but could also incur higher fees, penalties, or even market restrictions.
This is especially critical when adhesives are overlooked in design or sourcing. A converter may invest in recyclable or compostable board or film, only to find that the adhesive chosen for closing flaps or laminating layers prevents the pack from being certified or recovered. The consequences can be relabelling, retooling, or even redesigning the packaging, all costly and time-consuming.
DE-RISKING THROUGH BETTER ADHESIVE CHOICES
The good news is that converters can take steps to de-risk their packaging by treating adhesives not as an afterthought but as a critical part of the sustainability strategy. This means: • Integrating adhesives into material selection from the start. Packaging design teams should evaluate adhesive compatibility alongside substrates, inks and coatings to ensure end-of-life recovery is achievable.
• Demanding documentation and certification. Adhesive suppliers should provide clear technical data sheets and certifications that demonstrate recyclability or compostability performance.
• Balancing performance with compliance. Adhesives must still deliver on the factory floor, providing fast bonding, secure adhesion and minimal waste, while supporting sustainability requirements.
THE ROAD AHEAD
As regulatory challenges ramp up around the world, scrutiny of every packaging component will only intensify. Traceability will become the norm, with converters expected to provide evidence that each material, including adhesives, aligns with recycling and composting requirements.
At the same time, innovation in adhesives is opening new opportunities. The emergence of certified compostable hot melts, for example, shows that performance and compliance can go hand in hand. These adhesives are designed to bond securely in converting and packing operations while breaking down safely in industrial composting conditions, leaving no microplastics or harmful residues. For converters, the challenge and the opportunity are the same. To see adhesives not as a negligible component, but as a compliance-critical material that can either undermine or enable sustainability claims. In an era where packaging recyclability and compostability are under the microscope, getting adhesive choice right is not just good practice, it is essential for future-proofing packaging.
26
October 2025
www.convertermag.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42
