Page 68 - FoodFocusThailand No.239 March 2026

STRENGTHEN THE PACKAGING

(1) Auditing Inks & Adhesives: Verify with suppliers
that all inks and adhesives meet the RecyClass De-inking
Protocol to prevent contamination during recycling.
(2) Digital Watermark Integration: Digital watermarks
are embedded into packaging artwork without compromising
packaging aesthetics or the clarity of mandatory product
information.
(3) Data Synchronization: The enterprise resource
planning (ERP) system is configured to link packaging
material and structural data with the Digital Product Passport
(DPP), enabling end-to-end traceability across the supply
chain.
(4) Recyclability Certification: Recyclability certification
(e.g., Grade A or B) is issued by internationally recognized,
independent bodies and serves as a verified indicator of
corporate responsibility.
(5) Consumer Education Labeling: An information
system, such as QR codes, provides guidance on proper
sorting and disposal, reducing the risk of packaging leakage
Design for Circularity and Digital Transparency: from the circular economy.
A New Benchmark for Smart Waste Sorting
Future recyclable packaging must be designed not only for Future Packaging: Infinite Circularity
material structural performance, but also for sortability and By 2026, recyclable packaging will be not only a commercial
data transparency. Packaging that is incompatible with necessity but a measure of corporate responsibility and
waste-sorting systems will ultimately become residual waste. respect for global resources and consumer safety. Material
To address this, the following practices can be adopted: innovations such as mono-material structures, combined
1. Functional Inks and Adhesives for High-quality with digital transparency, form a sustainable safeguard
Recycling: Food-grade plastic recycling is governed by strict against contamination risks in the food industry. These
limits on colorants and chemical contaminants. Packaging changes demonstrate that products are designed to minimize
design must, therefore, address the following: environmental impact and to help companies remain
(1) Wash-off Inks & Adhesives: Using inks and compliant with future carbon-related trade regulations in
adhesives that can be fully removed from plastic films global markets.
through wash-off and de-inking processes in line with the
RecyClass protocols enables the production of transparent,
odor-free recycled resins (rPE/rPP) and reduces the risk of
VOC contamination. More Information Service Info C011
(2) Mono-material Compatibility: Specialized
polyurethane (PU) adhesives can be formulated to be
compatible with the base structure, preventing layer เอกสารอ้างอิง / References
AIM – European Brands Association. (2024). Digital Watermarks
separation and color speckling during melt processing for Initiative HolyGrail 2.0: Results from semi-industrial trials. Retrieved
recycling. from https://www.digitalwatermarks.eu/
2. Digital Watermarks in Packaging ASTM International. (2020). ASTM F1249-20: Standard Test Method
Digital watermarks are emerging as a key tool for improving for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and
plastic waste sorting. Invisible micro-codes embedded in Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor. West Conshohocken,
packaging can be detected by high-speed sorting cameras PA: ASTM International.
to identify polymer type, material composition, and food- Guleria, D., Ge, S., Cardon, L., Vervoort, S., & den Doelder, J. (2024).
contact status. This enables manufacturers to generate Impact of resin density and short-chain branching distribution on
more accurate, real-time Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data from structural evolution and enhancement of tensile modulus of MDO-PE
downstream waste systems, reducing reporting uncertainty films. Polymer Testing, 139, 108560.
and strengthening the credibility of sustainability claims. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2024.108560
International Organization for Standardization. (2006). ISO 14044:2006
Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Require
Five Checkpoints for Digital Transparency in ments and guidelines. https://www.iso.org/standard/38498.html
Packaging RecyClass. (2023). Design for Recycling Guidelines: Polyolefin
To ensure packaging designed for recycling can be Household Packaging. Retrieved from https://recyclass.eu/
correctly and efficiently sorted under 2026 standards, food recyclability/design-for-recycling-guidelines/
manufacturers should assess readiness across the following Wenzel, F., Aguirre, M., & Leiza, J. R. (2024). Emulsion copolymeriza
key areas: tion of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO) and acrylate monomers:
Incorporation vs hydrolysis. Polymer, 307, 127285.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2024.127285
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