How our in-house recyclability testing lab helps facilitate sustainable product innovation

Our Sappi recyclability testing laboratory is getting busy. Housed within our R&D Department and equipped with state-of-the-art test equipment, the lab plays a key role in ensuring that our specialty papers and packaging are recyclable – and meet all evolving EU regulations. Last year the lab ran no fewer than 152 tests, alongside organising three workshops.

The testing procedure follows the recyclability laboratory test method developed by Cepi, with 4evergreen’s Recyclability Evaluation protocol also employed to establish a consistent interpretation of recyclability test results.

The laboratory spearheads new solutions for the circular economy, focusing on developing innovative methods to increase the internal (re)use of fibres across different paper grades, as well as rigorously testing Sappi products during their development phase. This approach ensures that sustainability is embedded throughout the product life cycle.

These innovations play an important role in helping to meet our own sustainability goals at the same time as addressing evolving legislative requirements. For example, the EU’s packaging and packaging waste directive (PPWR) necessitates that recyclability is built-in to products from the very beginning. 

Crucially, the testing laboratory also evaluates products from our customers and partners, offering suggestions for ways to improve their sustainability and circularity.

“Customers have been asking us to support their shift away from plastic and towards fibre-based packaging solutions,” says Jean Pierre Haenen, director R&D. “The new lab helps us meet those needs at the same time as allowing our own product innovation to keep the circular economy firmly front-of-mind.”