HERMA, a leading German manufacturer of self-adhesive materials, has announced a major step forward in sustainable packaging with the development and certification of wash-off self-adhesive labels for HDPE packaging. This innovation extends the advantages of wash-off label technology—already a standard in PET recycling—to the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) segment, widely used in food, cosmetics, and industrial applications.

While wash-off solutions for PET bottles have become commonplace, HDPE packaging has lagged behind due to the complexity of removing label materials and inks during the recycling process. HERMA is now among the first suppliers to offer certified wash-off labels for HDPE, validated by the respected cyclos-HTP Institute. This marks a significant milestone for sustainable packaging practices across Europe and beyond.

Three HERMA polypropylene (PP) label films—HERMA PP white super tc (881), HERMA PP 50 transparent tc (885), and HERMA PP 50 transparent super tc (886)—have been certified when combined with adhesive 72Hpw. The certification confirms that these label combinations can be efficiently and reliably separated from HDPE packaging during the cold washing process, which is a standard procedure in HDPE recycling facilities.

“Various contaminants still often complicate the HDPE recycling process,” noted Dr. Joachim Christiani, Managing Director at cyclos-HTP. “By using these certified materials, labels can be removed along with any printing inks, improving recyclate quality significantly.”

The certification was conducted according to the CHI Assessment Catalogue (test method: CHI-C8-SEPPO) under the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and relevant standards including EN 13430 and ISO 14021. These rigorous assessments placed HERMA’s wash-off labels in the “separable” category—indicating that they are highly compatible with existing recycling processes.

Sustainability in stock: The newly certified HERMA label materials are already available from stock and offered in net width configurations. This ensures immediate availability for packaging manufacturers looking to enhance the recyclability of HDPE containers without overhauling production lines.

HERMA is also continuing to test and certify additional label constructions designed for rigid PE containers, demonstrating a clear commitment to environmental responsibility. The company emphasizes that its wash-off solutions not only improve recycling outcomes but also help reduce material contamination, preserve the quality of recyclates, and align with circular economy objectives.

With this advancement, HERMA reinforces its role as a pioneer in sustainable label development—offering solutions that support optimized recycling, resource conservation, and long-term reuse strategies for plastic packaging industries.