Say Goodbye to Glue: The Future of Paper Packaging is Here!

Is it time to stop using glue and labels on paper? In Europe, recycling paper and cardboard is very important, but there is a challenge. Even though paper and cardboard can be recycled, when they have glue, labels, or special coatings, it becomes much harder. The glue, called 'stickies' in the recycling industry, can damage recycling machines and make the recycled paper lower quality. Sometimes, if there is too much glue, the whole batch of paper cannot be recycled and has to be thrown away. This is disappointing because Europe is already good at recycling paper. In 2024, about 74% of paper and cardboard was recycled.

However, Europe wants to do even better. New rules are coming soon. By 2030, at least 70% of all packaging must be recyclable, and by 2038, that number will go up to 80%. Companies will also have to report more about their recycling and pay higher fees if they do not meet the rules. Because of these changes, companies are looking for ways to make recycling easier and better. One big problem is the glue used to seal paper packaging. To solve this, three German companies—Fraunhofer, Hermann Ultraschall, and Henkel—are working on new ways to seal paper without glue. Fraunhofer started a project called PAPURE, which uses a laser to heat and seal paper. This means no glue is needed. They showed their invention at a big packaging show in May and hope to find a partner to help sell it. They believe it could be ready in two years. Hermann Ultraschall is working on a different method that uses ultrasonic waves, which is similar to welding, to seal paper. They are talking to big companies to use this technology in many products. Henkel has created a special cold seal that works even on coated paper, which is important for food packaging.

There are still some challenges. Changing from glue to these new methods means factories need to update or even replace their machines, which can be expensive and take time. Also, not all types of paper can be sealed with these new methods. For food packaging, it is even more difficult because the paper needs a special layer to keep food fresh and safe. Henkel’s cold seal works for snacks and chocolate, but they have not said which brands are using it. Experts say that making paper easier to recycle is a good step, but sometimes paper is not recycled because it gets dirty or mixed with other trash before it even gets to the recycling plant. Still, these new sealing technologies are a smart place to start. As they improve, they could help make packaging more sustainable and easier to recycle, which is good for the environment and for meeting Europe’s new recycling goals.