For labels and packaging, the most important considerations involve how the package performs across its full lifecycle, especially at end of life. Sustainability is ultimately an integrated design question, not a single material or technology choice. Therefore, the design must support existing recycling systems.

In order to ensure sustainability, label converters must closely analyze material selections, structure complexity, inks, coatings, and adhesives, along with how these components interact and perform during recycling or recovery.

When brands are working with label converters on sustainable labels and packaging, they must assess numerous factors. “Where brands should start is with clarity on intent and constraints: What type of packaging is required for the product? What recycling stream will it enter? What regulations or design guidelines apply today, and what is likely coming next?” remarks Dr. Nikola Juhasz, Global Technical Director, Sustainability, Sun Chemical.

“From there, sustainability becomes a series of informed tradeoffs, guided by data rather than assumptions. Tools like recyclability design guides and life cycle thinking help ensure decisions are rooted in actual system performance, not individual attributes.”

The label industry has made real progress in recent years, too. Particularly, the industry has simplified structures, improved components performance (including inks and coatings) for recycling, and aligned more closely with design for recyclability guidance.

“Sustainability is no longer a secondary consideration,” says Juhasz. “It is increasingly a design requirement, driven by brand expectations and evolving regulations.”

Technology promoting sustainability

Washable inks address one of the most fundamental challenges in plastic – and fiber – recycling: what happens to inks during reprocessing? If inks are not removed, colorants and formulation residues remain in the recycled materials. This can ultimately limit quality, consistency, and end use value.

“For true circularity, and for producing the highest quality recycled material, clean ink removal is an essential step,” explains Juhasz. “Washable inks play a critical, enabling role. By releasing cleanly and in a filterable form under standard recycling conditions, they allow packaging to move through existing recycling systems without compromising the recycled stream.”

At Sun Chemical, the focus is on formulating inks and coatings with current recycling conditions in mind. These include controlled caustic wash-off performance, avoidance of pigment bleed, and retention – where required – by the application.

“Equally important, customers are supported with testing data and technical guidance, helping them substantiate recyclability claims in a way that is credible to certification bodies, recyclers, brand owners, and regulators,” adds Juhasz.

Prioritizing collaboration

Collaboration is one of the most pivotal aspects of sustainability, as no one company can accomplish the task alone. For example, Sun Chemical works across the value chain. The company engages with suppliers and brand owners, converters, and recyclers to better understand upstream material inputs, application performance requirements, and downstream impacts.

“Practically, this means bringing a broad range of expertise into the same conversation early in the design process,” states Juhasz. “Sustainability discussions today are very specific: Will this ink wash off cleanly without bleeding? Does this coating enable structure simplification? Will this system align with APR or RecyClass guidance? Sun Chemical’s role is to understand technology, market and regulatory contexts, then to help customers evaluate those questions with evidence, testing, and documentation, thereby balancing print and application performance with compliance needs. This kind of collaborative approach allows sustainability to be designed into the label or package from the outset.”

Part of the collaboration involves overcoming hurdles to sustainability. Legacy materials, complex multi-layer constructions, and inconsistent recycling infrastructure can limit what is achievable in practice.

“There is also a continued need for alignment between brands, converters, material suppliers, and recyclers on exactly what ‘recyclable’ means in different regions,” notes Juhasz. “Overcoming these barriers requires continued innovation, better data, communication across the value chain, and a willingness to design with real world system constraints in mind.”

Beyond Compliance

Sun Chemical has established “Beyond Compliance” to better foster sustainability and recyclability in the label and packaging supply chain. This proactive measure serves as an integral concept within Sun Chemical’s overall sustainability approach. The company focuses on anticipating where the industry is going, rather than reacting to where it is today.

Regulations, design guidelines, and consumer expectations are evolving rapidly. Meanwhile, packaging systems designed to meet existing minimum requirements can quickly become obsolete.

“By developing products that go beyond current compliance thresholds, Sun Chemical helps its customers and brands reduce risk, improve long-term compatibility with recycling systems, and avoid future redesigns,” comments Juhasz. “Beyond Compliance also supports more credible sustainability claims, because products are designed with both regulatory foresight and system performance in mind.

“Looking ahead, this approach will be critical to driving meaningful sustainability progress, scientifically grounded in function, evidence, and resilience, rather than short term solutions,” Juhasz concludes.