Henkel Adhesive Technologies, a leading supplier of high-performance solutions in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, has joined the global consortium towards Circular Economy for Labels (CELAB). CELAB aims to improve the sustainability of self-adhesive labels. In the association, companies along the entire value chain work together to promote uniform solutions for the major differences in production processes and recycling capacities in different markets.
At CELAB, Henkel works with other leading companies to enable global solutions, support regional initiatives and promote universal adoption of industry best practices.
"To truly rethink packaging and thereby create a sustainable circular economy, the entire value chain must work together," explains Brian Lawrence, Business Development Director at Henkel. "This is exactly why we are now one of the first members to join CELAB. We look forward to aligning and leveraging our global resources with self-adhesive label producers."
CELAB will focus on increasing knowledge and collaboration at a regional level to enable material recycling of all components to improve product sustainability.
"We needed an association to develop recycling solutions with a global focus," said Paul Nathanson, senior director at Bracewell LLP and spokesperson at CELAB. "In response to increased consumer expectations, brand owners are now communicating their sustainability commitment to reduce their carbon footprint above all else. With increasing recycling capacities gradually emerging through innovations from suppliers, manufacturers, waste management companies, recyclers and others, we see great opportunities to push collaboration with partners along the industrial value chain for a circular economy."
With regional groups in Europe and in North America, CELAB will drive unified solutions to the wide differences in production processes and recycling capabilities in different markets. Several areas of work address matrix and release liner recycling, including analysing technical issues, promoting recycling networks, interacting with government regulators and educating industry and the public.
Packaging adhesives from Henkel are developed with a strong focus on consumer needs, providing consumer goods manufacturers with highly effective solutions for efficient and reliable options. Among other things, the products enable labelling solutions for safe and sustainable packaging.
