Newly developed “ReCrysta™,” a PET film for shrink labels, receives recognition for APR Design® for Recyclability
“ReCrysta™,” a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film for shrink labels newly developed by Toyobo Co., Ltd., has been recognized as meeting or exceeding the voluntary requirements for APR Design® for Recyclability.
In announcing the recognition, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), a US-based international industry organization for plastic recycling, noted that the Toyobo product meets or exceeds the strictest guidance criteria of its Critical Guidance Recognition pathway.
ReCrysta™, a PET film for shrink labels
ReCrysta™ is an eco-friendly film and can be manufactured using over 50% materials sourced from recycled PET resins. It avoids the use of monomers*1 found in traditional PET films for shrink labels, opting instead for the same constituent monomers found in PET bottles. Leveraging Toyobo's expertise in film material production, which the company has developed over many years, the product has achieved shrinking performance equivalent to conventional products. PET films for shrink labels using conventional monomers had to be sorted separately from PET bottles, because such monomers compromise the properties of recycled PET bottles. On the other hand, PET films for shrink labels using ReCrysta™ that contains the same monomers as PET bottles, eliminate the need for separate sorting when producing PET resin flakes for recycling*2, thus enhance recyclability.
Based on third-party testing results of the PET film manufactured using ReCrysta™, APR determined that the product meets or exceeds the strictest guidance criteria of the Critical Guidance Recognition pathway, enabling it to receive the APR recognition.
Toyobo has long been in the forefront of offering eco-friendly film products. In 2012, the company began marketing “CYCLE CLEAN®” for packaging films, achieving the highest percentage in the industry of recycled material use at 80%, and the thinnest thickness in the industry: 12 micrometers. Toyobo also introduced “SPACECLEAN®”, a slim shrink film that aids in volume reduction.
As environmental awareness increases worldwide, Toyobo will strive to introduce ReCrysta™ in countries where demand for recycled PET films is expected to increase, particularly in Southeast Asia. The company is committed to supporting the development of a circular economy by offering an extensive selection of eco-friendly film products.
| *1： | Neopentyl glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, etc. |
| *2： | Inks on films were removed before use |
About the Association of Plastic Recyclers
A US-based international organization representing the plastic recycling industry, it offers its own recognition to ensure recycled plastic is of high quality, along with assessment methods to evaluate its recyclability. Additionally, it supports a circular economy through educational activities. Toyobo joined APR as a member in 2023.
For more information, contact
Public Relations Group, Corporate Communication Department, Toyobo Co., Ltd.
MAILpr_g@toyobo.jp
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