Taghleef Industries has introduced a new in-mold label (IML) film technology designed to improve the recyclability of rigid polypropylene (PP) packaging. The film is engineered to remain securely attached during a product’s use but detach cleanly during the mechanical recycling process, helping to maintain the quality of recycled materials.
In-mold labelling is widely used in rigid plastic packaging due to its durability and visual appeal. Traditional IML films, however, often remain attached during recycling, which can affect the purity of recovered PP, explained the company. Taghleef’s new solution addresses this by allowing the label to separate early in the recycling process, specifically during the grinding phase, and then be removed during air elutriation. The detached label flakes, printed with non-bleeding inks and protected by lacquers, are diverted into flexible plastic recycling streams, avoiding contamination of the PP material.
The technology is compatible with existing IML and injection molding production lines and is designed to perform reliably under typical storage and usage conditions, including exposure to heat, cold, and moisture. According to Taghleef, the design does not affect the visual quality or branding performance of the labels.
Simone Baldin, business unit manager at Taghleef Industries, said: “This is not a single film – it’s a technology platform that redefines how IML films are designed and recycled. It adds significant sustainability value to our IML portfolio without compromising brand performance or production efficiency.”
The new film technology also supports compliance with the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and RecyClass guidelines.
