EcoStretch: CCL Label Pioneers Closed-Loop Solution for Stretch Sleeves

CCL Label, the world leader in specialty label and packaging solutions, is planning to offer a closed loop recycling solution for stretch sleeves. Stretch sleeves are often used for returnable PET bottles that are then re-used, for example in the German mineral water market. The recycling facility will be located at the Voelkermarkt site in Austria which is a hub for the production of stretch and shrink sleeves mainly for the dairy, beverage and home care industries.

“As making our labels and sleeves more circular is one of our main goals for the next years, we are proud to be the first ones in the industry to offer a circular solution for stretch sleeves. In addition to re-using and recycling the PET bottles, our beverage customers can now fully recycle their decoration on the bottles into new stretch sleeves – with our revolutionary EcoStretch solution”, says Reinhard Streit, Vice President and Managing Director CCL Food & Beverage.

CCL Label is pioneering a new technology that enables the post-consumer de-inking of the printed sleeves. The sleeves are removed from the bottle after the PET bottles are returned to the filling lines of the producers.
They are then shipped to the Voelkermarkt site, where – after the de-inking and cleaning – the sleeves are molten and shaped into pellets which feed back into the manufacturing process, thus creating a new sleeve in a closed loop.

“There’s a world of opportunity to rethink and redesign the way we make products. The new investment is part of CCL Label’s long-term plan to support Design for Recycling with their labels and to contribute to a more circular economy. With more and more deposit schemes being introduced to increase the recycling rates, we expect the returnable bottle systems to expand”, explains Streit.

CCL Industries is committing to a circular future
Last year CCL Industries signed the Global Commitment of the New Plastics Economy which is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. CCL Label pledges that by 2025, all customers of CCL Industries will be able to choose label products and solutions that will not hinder the final package to be recyclable, reusable or compostable. Driving change through active partnerships is one on CCL Label’s building blocks in transforming their label and sleeve production for a more sustainable future.

Stretch Sleeves are a low carbon footprint decoration
In addition to the closed-loop recycling solution for stretch sleeves, that type of decoration has a lower carbon footprint compared to other options to begin with. Stretch Sleeve material is very thin and they are applied to containers without the use of adhesives or heat – which lowers the carbon footprint and makes them an eco-friendly decoration. Furthermore cost savings up to 50% are possible compared to other technologies. Stretch Sleeves are often used in the beverage and dairy industry, but there are also tailor-made solutions for larger containers, e.g. canisters.