AD CleanFlake™  [UHF RFID tag and inlay]

PET recycling-compatible AD CleanFlake™ RFID labels 

Industry segments:  Food and Beverage, Other Retail
 

The challenge: Harmonizing smart packaging with PET recycling
As brands expand digital tracking to meet global sustainability and traceability goals, integrating smart packaging into existing rigid PET recycling processes requires specialized label materials and constructions designed for recycling. Under certain regional design-for-recycling guidelines, traditional RFID labels are classified as non-compatible with PET recycling streams. Legacy permanent adhesives are designed to remain permanently bonded throughout a product’s lifecycle and do not wash off during the PET mechanical recycling process, leaving a sticky, metallic residue that degrades recycled PET (rPET) purity. 

An industry first: PET recycling-compatible RFID labels
To solve this challenge, Avery Dennison has developed its AD CleanFlake™ RFID portfolio—the first global RFID solution designed to be compatible with rigid PET recycling streams. Combining our industry-proven AD CleanFlake™  adhesive technology with a patent-pending RFID inlay and label construction, we have engineered a smart label that detaches cleanly during the recycling process.

This innovation allows you to deploy digital RFID tracking across your portfolio while ensuring your packaging remains recyclable under regional design-for-recycling guidelines.

How it works
To enable clean separation of the RFID label from rigid PET packaging, the AD CleanFlake™ adhesive simply releases its grip during the standard mechanical recycling washing stage. The ground label flakes separate from the PET plastic and float to the top, leaving the pure PET flakes to sink cleanly to the bottom.

Regional validation
To help safeguard global smart packaging roadmaps against potential compliance liabilities, our technology is aligned with certain regional recyclability definitions and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks.

1. North America: APR Design® Recognition
Within North America, our AD CleanFlake™ RFID inlays and tags are recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) as compatible with the PET recycling stream. This recognition covers broad rigid PET packaging formats including bottles and thermoforms. APR is an international non-profit and largest North American organization focused on improving recycling for plastics..

• How2Recycle Alignment: Securing APR Design® recognition is the vital credential brand owners need to secure a widely recyclable rating under How2Recycle guidelines and eventually avoid potential eco-modulated EPR fees.
  

2. Europe: RecyClass Technology Approval
Within Europe, our AD CleanFlake™ RFID tags have secured RecyClass Technology Approval, specifically for the PET bottle recycling stream. RecyClass is a cross-industry initiative driven by Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) that harmonizes plastic recyclability metrics.

• EN 18120 series Alignment: Our European constructions align with the newly published EN 18120 series (specifically EN 18120-4 for PET bottles), ensuring RFID elements cleanly detach and float during industrial washing, avoiding the non-compatible classifications of traditional permanent labels.
  
  
• PPWR Future-Proofing: Under PPWR Article 6(1), the strict requirement that all packaging placed on the European market must be recyclable becomes legally binding on January 1, 2030, subject to specific product-category exemptions and the timely enactment of the relevant delegated acts. Preparing and planning for transition to the AD CleanFlake™ RFID portfolio helps brands align with Design for Recycling criteria and reduce potential upcoming eco-modulated fees.

Your partner in future-proofing smart packaging
This landmark technology breakthrough enables CPGs relying heavily on PET packaging to benefit from RFID-enabled tracking without compromising recyclability and circularity targets. With validation in both North America and Europe, multinational brands can now confidently deploy a unified RFID label solution across international supply chains while meeting regional design-for-recycling standards. Avery Dennison is committed to advancing both circular packaging and digital identification, proving these no longer have to be in conflict.

Please contact us for more information if you are interested in piloting AD CleanFlake™ RFID labels.