Academics have created a glue that can be easily removed from plastic to boost the quality of recycled material.
A team from the University of Reading’s Department of Chemistry designed and made a polyurethane adhesive for use on packaging.
The researchers said this would allow labels to stick firmly to plastic bottles and wrappers during use but be easily removed during recycling.
Their study, published in the Macromolecules journal, included tests using basic or alkaline solutions that reduced sticking power by almost two-thirds.
The university said the project, sponsored by Domino Printing Sciences, could “transform how waste is handled across many industries”.
Matthew Hyder, lead author of the research, added: “Existing commercial adhesives can prove extremely difficult to remove from plastic surfaces because of their chemical composition.
“Our new polymer adhesive has been designed so that it can be removed from a plastic surface when exposed to basic or alkaline solutions.
“By making labels that can be removed completely, we are helping improve the quality of recycled plastic and usefulness in its next life.”
