Mactac has been granted Critical Guidance Recognition (CGR) from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), exceeding the association’s strictest criteria for product packaging recyclability.

Mactac earned the recognition for its polypropylene pressure sensitive label materials with a hot-melt adhesive for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers. During Critical Guidance testing, Mactac labels demonstrated compatibility with standard HDPE container recycling practices and remained in place without impacting the physical properties of the recycled HDPE pellets. With the accolade, Mactac becomes the first label manufacturer to receive CGR for a hot-melt adhesive, the company says.

“We are thrilled to be the first to be granted CGR for a hot-melt adhesive and are proud to offer a proven solution to brands and converters seeking to enhance the recyclability of rigid HDPE packaging material,” says Kim Hensley, senior marketing manager, Mactac Performance Adhesives. “Achieving this recognition is an important step in our company’s Simply Sustainable commitment to promote a more circular economy.”

Recognized products include white and clear top-coated polypropylene labels that are paired with the industry-leading Mactac CHILL AT adhesive (PJ7802, PJ7892-2, PF7802 and PF7892-2). CHILL AT is an all temperature hot-melt adhesive designed for food packaging, as well as a variety of other applications, including home and personal care. With high-tack adhesion, high tack-and-peel, and a quick, strong bond, even to cold, wet surfaces and low-energy substrates, CHILL AT is ideal for application to HDPE surfaces such as juice and water bottles, oil bottles, detergent and other household cleaner product containers.

“Mactac is known for our best-in-class adhesives and CHILL AT is one of our best innovations yet,” Hensley says. “As a hot-melt adhesive, it delivers exceptional performance — protecting packaging and brand and offering an edge in a competitive marketplace that customers can only get from Mactac.”

The APR represents companies who acquire, reprocess, and sell the output of more than 90% of the post-consumer plastic processing capacity in North America.

A team of Mactac experts, including, Hensley, sustainability manager Christina Barajas and R&D senior scientist Rahal Rasheed presented the innovation to the APR membership group in November 2022. Mactac received its APR recognition letter last month.

“Labels and adhesives can significantly impact the quality of recycled plastics. The APR is pleased to recognize Mactac for its polypropylene pressure sensitive label materials with a hot-melt adhesive for use with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers,” states Steve Alexander, APR president and CEO. “APR’s Critical Guidance testing is the gold standard for testing the compatibility of innovations with the recycling infrastructure. We encourage package designers to choose packaging components that have received APR Recognition when making package design decisions.”

Mactac continues to expand its portfolio of APR-recognized products, which also includes the Mactac PUREfloat adhesive with polypropylene facestocks for polyester (PET) containers.