Alex Zulewski, commercial manager at Power Adhesives, discusses the role of adhesives in advancing sustainable packaging design
WHEN we think about sustainable packaging, our attention often goes to materials like paper, board, plastics, and compostable films. Yet one component that is often overlooked is the adhesive used. These small but important elements can determine whether packaging is truly recyclable or compostable.
As policies such as the EU’s PPWR and EPR schemes come into effect, adhesives are moving from the margins of packaging design into the sustainability spotlight.
Adhesives and recyclability challenges
For fibre-based packaging, adhesives that remain embedded in recovered paper fibres can clog repulping equipment or lower the quality of recycled pulp. Even small amounts can lead to bale rejections at mills, creating significant waste and cost. With the PPWR introducing design-for-recycling criteria from 2030 and requiring packaging to be recyclable at scale by 2035, adhesive compatibility with recycling streams will become a compliance issue, not just a technical preference.
Compostable adhesives
Some packaging formats, including tea bags, fruit stickers, and lightweight carrier bags, must be compostable under PPWR by mid-2027. EN 13432 certification defines compostability as a material that can biodegrade by at least 90% in six months, disintegrate without visible fragments in 12 weeks, and leave no harmful residues such as heavy metals or microplastics.
Adhesives play a crucial role in meeting these criteria. If the adhesive exceeds 1% of the pack’s dry weight, it must be compostable itself to maintain the claim. In some complex laminates and packaging designs, adhesives can account for 5% or more of the total weight; well above the threshold. Even at lower percentages, adhesives contribute to the cumulative 5% cap on non-compostable components. This means adhesives are no longer minor players. They can make or break a pack’s ability to achieve certification.
Innovation and industry response
Until recently, adhesives were a blind spot in sustainability strategies, with few certified compostable options available. That changed when Power Adhesives launched Tecbond 214B, the world’s first fully certified biodegradable hot melt adhesive, followed by Tecbond 110B-PR. Both are certified to EN 13432 and ASTM D6400, meaning they degrade safely without microplastics under industrial composting conditions. This development showed the industry that adhesives can actively support, not hinder, sustainability-led packaging design. And more innovation is on the horizon.
Adhesive manufacturers are now working on bio-based formulations, lower-energy application grades, and products compatible with both recycling and composting disposal pathways. The trend is clear that adhesives are no longer passive components, but active enablers of circular packaging.
Why this matters for brands
For brand owners and converters, adhesives represent both a risk and an opportunity. Choosing the wrong adhesive can invalidate recyclability or compostability claims, leading to fines, rejected packaging, and reputational damage. Choosing the right adhesive, by contrast, can future-proof packaging designs, align them with PPWR requirements, and support credible sustainability pledges.
As EPR schemes come into force, adhesive choice will also have financial implications. EPR fees are being structured to reward recyclable and compostable designs and penalise those that contaminate waste streams. Adhesives that enable clean recycling or verified composting will reduce costs across the value chain.
A shift in mindset
The message is simple. Adhesives are not just a finishing touch but an integral part of packaging sustainability. From ensuring fibres are recyclable to supporting certified compostability, they underpin the success of regulatory compliance and brand credibility. As the packaging industry adapts to new legislation and consumer expectations, adhesives will increasingly be recognised as hidden enablers of circular design. With innovations like biodegradable hot melts already on the market, and further developments on the way, the industry is better placed than ever to seal a truly sustainable future.
