“SC836-20^*1,” the thinnest^*2 PET film for shrink labels,
receives plastic recyclability recognition for APR Design^® for Recyclability

Toyobo Co., Ltd.’s "SC836-20^*1," the industry’s thinnest polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film for shrink labels^*2 at just 20 micrometers, has been recognized as meeting or exceeding the voluntary requirements for APR Design^® for Recyclability. The recognition was granted by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), a Washington, D.C.-based international industry group dedicated to plastic recycling.

Toyobo is committed to proactively expanding the global sale of this product by highlighting its features that contribute to plastic waste reduction and promote recycling.

Shrink labels can conform to the shape of a container by utilizing their heat-shrinking properties. Their ability to tightly wrap around containers regardless of complexity enhances the scope of designing packaging. These labels are widely used, particularly on PET bottles, for beverages to reinforce product brand identity.

In 2012, Toyobo offered a 20-micrometer-thin PET film for shrink labels, the thinnest in the industry. This product is more than 50% thinner than conventional shrink films, which are usually about 40 to 45 micrometers thick, yet it maintains an equivalent level of performance. Since its introduction, the product has been well-received and widely adopted for PET beverage bottles due to its significant contribution to reducing the volume of plastic used. With the recent surge in environmental awareness, bottle-to-bottle recycling —which involves turning used bottles into new ones — has advanced making it essential for label films to be recyclable.

In response, Toyobo has developed a new 20-micrometer-thick PET film for shrink labels, SC836-20, leveraging film-forming technologies cultivated over many years. Specifically, Toyobo's unique technology for mixing raw materials has enabled the creation of the film with excellent recyclability, ensuring it does not hinder the recovery of PET flakes. Additionally, the new film is free of polystyrene, which would be subjected to future regulations in Europe and other regions. Based on third-party testing results of the PET film SC836-20, APR determined that the product meets or exceeds the guidance criteria of the Critical Guidance Recognition pathway, enabling it to receive the APR recognition .

Toyobo offers a variety of eco-friendly film options for container labels, including “ReCrysta_TM^*3” and “CYCLE CLEAN_®.” ReCrysta_TM is a PET film for shrink labels that does not require separate sorting from bottles during recycling and which received APR recognition last year. CYCLE CLEAN_®, which has a thickness of 12 micrometers — the thinnest in its category — contains 80% recycled content, representing the highest level in the industry. As environmental awareness increases worldwide, Toyobo is committed to expanding the sale of SC836-20 in the global market while contributing to the establishment of a recycling-oriented society through its diverse range of eco-friendly film products.

Regarding the Association of Plastic Recyclers

The Association of Plastic Recyclers is an international industry group that represents plastic recyclers. It promotes a circular economy through its distinct recognition programs designed to ensure high-quality recycled plastics, and provides methods to assess the recyclability of plastic products, along with various educational initiatives.

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