RecyClass Roadmap
RecyClass Roadmap
Dear Tool users,
As always, RecyClass strives to ensure you can use the most advanced fact-based and reliable information when assessing the recyclability of your plastic packaging. In line with that, below you will find an overview of packaging features currently under investigation by the RecyClass Technical Committees.
Several test campaigns are ongoing with the aim to generate up-to-date, robust, and reliable data. Findings of these tests might result in updated classification of the Design for Recycling Guidelines and scoring by the Online-Tool. More details can also be found in Technical Reviews, here available.
The table will be revised regularly to keep you informed of all potential changes.
For 2025 test campaigns, the Roadmap will be updated each quarter.
| Packaging features under investigation | Guideline(s) concerned | Under testing | Foreseen updates | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rigid rolling packaging |
HDPE, PP and PET | Different rigid rolling packaging | QT procedure to assess the variables influencing rolling behaviour | Q4 | Ongoing |
|
Metallised decorations |
HDPE and PP containers | Different metallised decorations and its impact in sorting behaviour | Recommendations regarding sorting behaviour of such decorations | Q4 | Ongoing |
|
Direct printing |
HDPE and PP containers | HDPE and PP packaging with more than 1 wt% of direct printing | New recommendations in the DfR Guidelines | Q4 | Ongoing |
|
Labels removal |
PP containers | Natural and white containers with labels to evaluate releasability after grinding/washing | New procedure to replace current QT for labels | Q3 | Ongoing |
|
Electron-beam treatment |
PE film | Films with different electron-beam treatment applied (intensity, voltage, film thickness) | General recommendations on the conditions for electron-beam treatment to be used | Q3 | Additional tests ongoing |
| Inks alternative to NC-binders | PE film | Films with new binder chemistries to replace NC for surface printing | Endorsement of other binders for surface printing applications | Q4 | Starting |
|
Inks on real-case packaging |
PE & PP film | Final packaging with various artworks and inks amount | Confirmation of current recommendations on inks amount | Q4 | Starting |
|
Inks on natural films |
PE film | Blends of flakes with different colours and amount of inks | Replacement of recommendations on inks coverage by inks wt% | Q2 | Additional tests ongoing |
| Cold seals | PP film | PP film with cold seals and/or releasable lacquers | Addition of cold seals recommendations in PP flexible DfR Guidelines | Q3 | Starting |
|
TPS in PP and HDPE |
HDPE & PP containers | Various TPS chemistries (SEBS, SBS), and different hardness | Extend DfR guidelines to TPS above 1 wt% | Dec-24 | Finished |
|
Different decorations applied on PS containers |
PS containers | Various PS containers with different decorations to evaluate the effect on sorting | New recommendations in terms of sorting behaviour of PS pots | Dec-24 | Finished |
|
Thickness of PS Pots |
PS containers | Various thickness of pots and lids to evaluate separation during air elutriation | New recommendations on lids or pots thicknesses | Dec-24 | Finished |
|
Labels removal |
HDPE containers | Natural and white containers with labels to evaluate releasability after grinding/washing | New procedure to replace current QT for labels | Jul-24 | Finished |
| PET Closures | PET bottles | Different PET closures innovations on PET bottles | Better classify PET closures on DfR guidelines | Q4 | Starting |
|
Impact of decorations on PET packaging |
PET bottles | PET bottles with labels, sleeves of different size and materials | Add recommendations on decorations coverage, and material | Q2 | 1st test round completed |
|
Adhesives for lids |
PET Thermoforms | PET Trays with different adhesives for lids | Publication of a new testing protocol for adhesives for lids/labels | Dec-24 | Completed |
|
Impact of decorations on PET thermoforms |
PET thermoforms | PET trays with labels, soaking pads of different size and materials | Add recommendations on decorations coverage, and material | Dec-24 | Finished |
|
Small size flexible packaging |
All flexible packaging | Collection of rejected fractions after sieving step in sorting plants | Reconsideration of DfR recommendations for size | Dec-24 | Finished |
|
PVOH coating |
PE film | PVOH coatings with and without AlOx coating, in laminated structures | Extend recognition for PVOH coatings above 1 wt%. Potentially reconsider findings on PVOH with AlOx | Dec-24 | Finished |
|
Acrylics Laminating Adhesives |
PE film | Various chemistries of acrylics (2K, 1K, PU/Acrylics blends) | More precise recommendations on acrylics laminating adhesives | Dec-24 | Finished |
|
Laminating adhesives 2.0 |
PP films | Various chemistries and amount of laminating adhesives | New category on the flexible guidelines and new question on the tool | Dec-23 | Finished |
| Printing Inks 2.0 | PE films | Various inks binders (PU, NC) and amount of inks (wt%) | Possible limitations for some binders & move from surface coverage to printing amount for flexibles | Dec-23 | Finished |
| AlOx with primer | PE films | AlOx coating applied on PE films with primer | Recommendations in the barrier section of the PE films guidelines regarding AlOx coupled with primer | Dec-23 | Finished |
| TPO in PP and HDPE | HDPE & PP containers | TPO-PP and TPO-PE based on HDPE and PP containers | Recommendations on TPO amounts between 5 and 10% in the HDPE and PP guidelines | Dec-23 | Finished |
| Removability of labels on white HDPE and PP packaging | HDPE & PP containers | Labels and adhesives applied on HDPE and PP containers | Finetuning of the procedure to evaluate the removability of labels and adhesives from HDPE and PP containers. Definition of the correlation between adhesives' chemistries and their removability performance | Dec-23 | Finished |
| Rolling rigid packaging | Rigid packaging | Various rigid rolling packaging | Recommendations on rigid rolling packaging and their effect on sorting. Development of a procedure to understand the relation between rigidity and sorting behaviour. | Jul-23 | Finished |
| Labels and Sleeves | HDPE containers | Non-PE labels and sleeves applied on HDPE packaging | Recommendations on thickness, mass colouration and coverage of non-PE decorations applied on HDPE containers | Jul-23 | Finished |
| Colour definition software | All packaging | Development of a software to define the Lab* coordinates of artworks applied on plastic packaging | Correlation of the colour with the sorting behaviour and final quality (colour) of plastic recyclates | Jul-23 | Finished |
| Plasma Coating (SiOx) | HDPE containers | Plasma coating (SiOx) applied on HDPE containers | Possible addition of plasma coating SiOx in the HDPE guidelines | Feb-23 | Finished |
| Metallisation | PE & PP films | Vacuum-deposited metallisation of co-extruded and laminated structures | Classification of metallisation in the flexible guidelines | Jan-23 | Finished |
| Printing inks | PE & PP films | Various inks binders (PU, NC) and amount of inks (wt%) | Possible limitations for some binders & move from surface coverage to printing amount for flexibles | Dec-22 | Finished |
| EVA | PE films | Two PE/EVA structures with a fixed VA monomer content of 5%. | New recommendation on EVA for the PE flexible guideline | Dec-22 | Finished |
| PS-EVOH | PS containers | PS sheets with EVOH up to 5% | Recommendation on EVOH in the PS Guidelines | Dec-22 | Finished |
| Laminating adhesives | PE & PP films | Various chemistries and amount of laminating adhesives | New category on the flexible guidelines and new question on the tool | Oct-22 | Finished |
| Foams | HDPE & PP containers | Foamed components part of HDPE packaging | Revised classification for foams in the HDPE and PP guidelines | Oct-22 | Finished |
| Al and PET lidding in PS pots | PS containers | Floatation behavior of PS pots with Al, PET and Paper/PET lidding | Recommendation on the use of different types of lidding in PS containers | Oct-22 | Finished |
| Labels & adhesives | HDPE & PP containers | Various non-washable labels and adhesives applied on HDPE containers | New recommendations on the use of non-washable adhesives for the coloured HDPE and PP guidelines | Sep-22 | Finished |
| PP in HDPE | HDPE containers | Three different PP grades blended in HDPE up to 5%. | Definition of the PP wt% thresholds in the HDPE guideline | Sep-22 | Finished |
| PE in PP | PP containers | HDPE grade blended in PP up to 5%. | Definition of the PE wt% thresholds in the PP guideline | Sep-22 | Finished |
| Al and PET lidding in PS pots | PS containers | Sorting behavior of PS pots with Al and PET lidding | Recommendation on the use of different types of lidding in PS containers | Sep-22 | Finished |
| PA | PE films | Film structures containing various PA types and contents with and without compatibilizers | New recommendation on PA for the PE flexible guideline | Jun-22 | Finished |
| Plasma Coating (Fluorination) | HDPE & PP containers | Plasma coating fluorination applied on HDPE packaging | Possible addition of plasma coating fluorination in the HDPE guidelines | Jun-22 | Finished |
Last update: 24 March 2025
Please note that the timeline is only indicative and may be revised. If you need more information on the latest RecyClass roadmap, please contact us.