Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) in recycled paper create a number of problems for the recycling process, including lost production and diminished product quality. Unlike conventional PSAs, a new adhesive material was developed at the University of Minnesota, with the assistance of AMO funding, that is effectively removed from the papermaking process during the furnish screening process. The new adhesive possesses properties that enhance its removal without impacting its performance in PSA products.To develop the new adhesive materials, new screenable PSAs were synthesized and characterized, and performance measures were created. In addition, modified adhesive substrates were tested, and test methods were designed to gauge disintegration inhibition of adhesive labels and relative removal efficiencies of developed polymers. The new adhesives break down into larger, harder, nontacky particles that are more easily removed through conventional screening, and the cross linking reactions may be controlled through external stimuli allowing the reactions to be initiated during recycling.
The technology was commercialized in 2006 and is the industry's first 100% recyclable label. Currently, the Pinnacle Label Company is selling a portion of their labels under their recyclable label brand utilizing this technology. Using 100% recycled paper stock and a recyclable permanent adhesive, Pinnacle now has an environmentally friendly product. Pinnacle Label supplies the needs of its national customer base from its headquarters and production facility in Buffalo, New York, and other distribution centers around the nation.