Avery Dennison CleanFlake Labels Gain PET Tray Approvals

26 October 2026: Avery Dennison announced on October 20, 2026, in Oegstgeest, the Netherlands, that two AD CleanFlake label technologies had received RecyClass approval for PET tray recycling in Europe. 

The technologies are AD CleanFlake Thermal PP White S7000ER and AD CleanFlake Chilled Thermal PP White C7010ER. RecyClass’s approval letters date from September 29, 2026; its technology approval register lists their publication on October 19.

How CleanFlake labels support PET recycling

CleanFlake uses a releasable adhesive system that allows labels and adhesive to separate from PET during hot caustic washing. Removing these materials helps limit contamination of recovered polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, flakes. Avery Dennison describes the process as supporting the quality and recovery of recycled PET, rather than guaranteeing that every labelled container will become new packaging.

The technology predates this announcement. Avery Dennison announced PET-stream approval in September 2025, following HDPE-stream approval in October 2024. The latest development concerns specified PET thermoform label constructions, not a new launch of the entire CleanFlake range.

For converters following the company’s wider materials programme, this recycling-focused update complements its LOUPE India label agenda.

Which PET tray constructions qualify?

The separate RecyClass letters identify the adhesive coating weights for each approved technology:

Label technology	Required adhesive coating weight
Thermal PP White S7000ER	13 ± 2 g/m²
Chilled Thermal PP White C7010ER	15 ± 2 g/m²

Both approvals require PET packaging and the corresponding Avery Dennison acrylic-emulsion adhesive. The label facestock must be polyolefin film, or polypropylene film with a direct thermal coating, with density below 1 g/cm³. Other packaging components and features, including inks, must meet the relevant RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines.

Each letter remains valid for two years from its date, subject to RecyClass procedures. Formulation changes require notification to the technical committee and reassessment. Packaging outside the stated conditions needs testing; the complete design must also meet the applicable guidelines or evaluation protocol and enter the PET thermoform sorting stream.

Avery Dennison says the Chilled adhesive offers high tack at low temperatures and supports air-blown dispensing. It also says converters can move from paper to film labels while retaining direct thermal printing. Cold-chain print production remains a separate specification issue, discussed in our coverage of cold-storage label printheads.

Approval does not certify the whole package

Avery Dennison’s CleanFlake product information also describes HDPE applications and uses in food, beverage, home and personal care packaging. Buyers should check the exact construction and recycling stream rather than apply the PET tray approvals across the portfolio.

RecyClass distinguishes technology approval, which supports business-to-business compatibility claims, from packaging recyclability certification. Resin, closures, printing and label construction still need assessment together. The European approvals do not establish collection, sorting or recycling availability in every market.

For packaging printers, recycling compatibility belongs alongside print legibility and identification requirements such as GS1-compliant 2D codes. A wash-off adhesive addresses one part of that specification; it does not replace checks on the finished pack.