Susonity is positioning NIR-detectable effect pigments as a practical solution for brands that want premium metallic packaging without compromising recyclability under Europe’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. As PPWR moves closer to full implementation, packaging design is being reshaped by a clear requirement: packs must not only look attractive on shelf, but also be identifiable, sortable and recyclable in real industrial systems.

This is particularly important for printed flexible packaging, where visual differentiation is often created through inks, coatings and special-effect pigments. Metallic designs are widely used to communicate quality, celebration, freshness or premium positioning, but traditional metal-like effects can create challenges during recycling if they interfere with Near-Infrared detection.

NIR sorting is one of the key technologies used in plastics recycling infrastructure. It helps identify packaging materials by reading reflected infrared signals, allowing sorting systems to separate different polymer streams. If a printed layer blocks or distorts the signal, the pack may be misidentified or rejected, even if the base material is otherwise recyclable.

Under PPWR, recyclability will increasingly depend on how packaging performs in real sorting and recycling systems, not only on the material claim printed on the pack.

Susonity addresses this issue with effect pigments designed to deliver metallic-like appearances while remaining compatible with NIR detection. The company’s Biflair® pigment provides high-quality metallic effects, while Iriodin® offers a complementary and cost-effective option. Both are pearlescent pigments that are semi-transparent in the NIR range, allowing infrared signals to pass through the printed layer and reach the underlying packaging material.

This capability allows brands and converters to maintain strong visual appeal while supporting correct material identification in sorting facilities. In practical terms, packaging can still achieve gold, silver and coloured metallic effects without creating a barrier to recyclability. For brand owners, this helps resolve a growing tension between premium design and circular packaging requirements.

The technology has also been independently tested. Susonity conducted trials at the NTCP Institute, the National Test Centre Circular Plastics, to validate the compatibility of Biflair® and Iriodin® pigments with NIR detection in printed applications. The results confirmed that these pigments can support accurate sorting performance, giving packaging developers greater confidence when designing for future regulatory requirements.

For flexible packaging, this type of validation is becoming increasingly valuable. PPWR and related design-for-recycling frameworks are pushing the market toward packaging that is simpler, more transparent and easier to process after use. Inks, pigments and decorative finishes can no longer be treated as purely aesthetic choices; they are part of the recyclability equation.

• Premium design: metallic gold, silver and vibrant coloured effects can be achieved without traditional compromises.
• Sorting compatibility: semi-transparent pigments allow NIR signals to support material identification.
• Regulatory readiness: validated solutions help brands prepare for PPWR-driven recyclability requirements.

Biflair® also offers design flexibility beyond recyclability. When used with suitable colour formulations, it can create bright and clear metallic effects while preserving the intended base colour of the packaging design. This is important for brands that rely on precise colour identity and consistent shelf impact across product ranges.

Susonity’s wider positioning is built on decades of pigment expertise across plastics, coatings, printing and cosmetics. The company combines performance, sustainability and regulatory awareness to support customers developing materials that must meet both design expectations and circular economy targets.

The development reflects a broader shift in packaging innovation. As regulations become more demanding, every component of a pack must contribute to recyclability, including adhesives, coatings, inks and pigments. Decorative effects that once existed mainly for marketing purposes are now being redesigned to function within sorting and recycling infrastructure.

For brands, Susonity’s NIR-detectable pigment portfolio offers a pathway to maintain premium appearance while aligning with circular packaging principles. Rather than choosing between strong shelf impact and recyclability, packaging developers can design printed flexible packs that support both. As PPWR continues to shape the European market, this balance between aesthetics, technical performance and sorting compatibility will become increasingly important.

Image concept: a premium flexible packaging display with metallic gold and silver printed effects, NIR sorting beams passing through the design layer, recyclable film samples and a circular packaging workflow highlighting PPWR compliance.