SIST EN 18120-12:2026

Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 12: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging - Protocols for PE and PP rigid packaging

This document covers the design of any rigid packaging with the main body of the packaging unit predominantly made of PE or PP and the design of separate components predominantly made of rigid PE or rigid PP, with respect to compatibility of the design with state-of-the-art collection, sorting and recycling processes and useability of the recyclates in an application.
Packaging constituents and packaging components made of other materials than PE and PP are also covered by this document as they need to be evaluated on compatibility with PE or PP polymer recycling.

Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 12 - Verfahren zur Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit von Kunststoffverpackungen - Protokolle für starre Verpackungen aus PE und PP

Dieses Dokument gilt für die Gestaltung von allen starren Verpackungen, deren Hauptteil überwiegend aus PE oder PP besteht, sowie für die Gestaltung separater Bestandteile, die überwiegend aus starrem PE oder starrem PP bestehen, im Hinblick auf die Kompatibilität der Gestaltung mit den Sammel-, Sortier- und Recyclingverfahren nach dem aktuellen Stand der Technik und die Verwendbarkeit der Rezyklate in einer Anwendung.
Verpackungselemente und Verpackungsbestandteile aus anderen Materialien als PE und PP werden ebenfalls durch dieses Dokument behandelt, da sie hinsichtlich ihrer Kompatibilität mit dem PE- oder PP-Polymer-Recycling bewertet werden müssen.

Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en vue de leur recyclage - Partie 12 : Processus d’évaluation de la recyclabilité des emballages plastiques - Protocoles pour les emballages rigides en PE et PP

Le présent document traite de la conception d’emballages rigides en PE et PP, et plus particulièrement de la compatibilité de la conception avec les processus de recyclage.
Les constituants et composants d’emballages fabriqués à partir de matériaux autres que le PE et le PP sont également couverts par le présent document, car il est nécessaire d’évaluer leur compatibilité avec le recyclage des polymères.

Embalaža - Načrtovanje za recikliranje plastične embalaže - 12. del: Postopek za ocenjevanje zmožnosti recikliranja plastične embalaže - Protokoli za togo embalažo iz polietilena (PE) in polipropilena (PP)

Ta dokument zajema zasnovo katere koli toge embalaže, pri kateri je glavni del embalažne enote pretežno izdelan iz PE ali PP, ter zasnovo ločenih komponent, ki so pretežno izdelane iz togega PE ali togega PP, glede na združljivost zasnove s sodobnimi procesi zbiranja, sortiranja in recikliranja ter uporabnost reciklatov v aplikaciji.
Embalažni sestavni deli in embalažne komponente, izdelane iz drugih materialov kot sta PE in PP, so prav tako zajeti v tem dokumentu, saj jih je treba oceniti glede združljivosti z recikliranjem polimerov PE ali PP.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 01-Nov-2024
• Publication Date: 13-May-2026
• ICS: 13.030.50 - Recycling
• ICS: 55.020 - Packaging and distribution of goods in general
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: EPO - Packaging - sales and grouped
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 23-Apr-2026
• Due Date: 28-Jun-2026
• Completion Date: 14-May-2026
• Mandate: M/584 - Plastics recycling and recycled plastics
• Ref Project: EN 18120-12:2026 - Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 12: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging - Protocols for PE and PP rigid packaging

Relations

• Referred By: SIST EN ISO 23308-1:2025 - Energy efficiency of industrial trucks - Test methods - Part 1: General (ISO 23308-1:2025)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN ISO 3691-4:2023 - Industrial trucks - Safety requirements and verification - Part 4: Driverless industrial trucks and their systems (ISO 3691-4:2023)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

SIST EN 18120-12:2026 - Packaging – Design for Recycling of Plastic Packaging – Part 12: Recyclability Evaluation Process for Plastic Packaging – Protocols for PE and PP Rigid Packaging is a European standard developed by CEN. Its primary objective is to guide the design and evaluation of rigid plastic packaging, specifically those made predominantly from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), to improve their compatibility with state-of-the-art collection, sorting, and plastic recycling processes. This standard also provides protocols to assess the recyclability of packages with other material components, ensuring their suitability in polymer recycling streams.

Promoting sustainable packaging solutions, SIST EN 18120-12:2026 contributes to the circular economy by helping manufacturers, recyclers, and brand owners understand how the design and composition of packaging affect mechanical recycling processes and the quality of recycled plastics (recyclates).

Key Topics

• Design for Recycling: Guidance on the design of rigid PE and PP packaging to ensure compatibility with European collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure.
• Recyclability Evaluation Process: Protocols and laboratory-scale procedures that simulate real mechanical recycling operations for rigid PE and PP packaging.
• Packaging Constituents and Components: Examination of items and materials other than PE and PP present in packaging, and evaluation of their impact on recycling streams.
• Testing Protocols: Recommendations on sample preparation, control materials, and selection of virgin resins for accurate recyclability assessments.
• Consistent Assessment: Methods to generate comparable recyclability data across different packaging designs, including the influence of elements such as labels, inks, or closures.
• Benchmarking and Reporting: Structured approach to documenting test outcomes, including benchmark values for assessing technical recyclability and facilitating improvements in packaging design.

Applications

SIST EN 18120-12:2026 has significant practical value for a range of stakeholders in the packaging value chain:

• Packaging Designers & Manufacturers: Supports the development of rigid plastic packaging that meets recyclability requirements, facilitating market access and compliance with sustainability legislation.
• Brand Owners & Retailers: Enables selection or specification of packaging with a proven recyclability profile, reducing environmental impact and aligning with corporate responsibility goals.
• Recycling Industry: Provides a standard reference for evaluating the recyclability of incoming packaging streams, improving process efficiency and the quality of recycled PE and PP materials.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists industry players in demonstrating conformity with the latest European directives on packaging waste and recycling targets.
• Material Innovators: Informs the assessment and introduction of new additives, labels, closures, or non-PE/PP components by identifying their potential impact on recycling.

By using this standard, companies can enhance product sustainability, meet consumer expectations, and support circularity in plastics.

Related Standards

SIST EN 18120-12:2026 is part of a broader set of standards on plastic packaging recyclability, including:

• EN 18120-1: Definitions and general principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging.
• EN 18120-3: Sortability evaluation process for plastic packaging.
• EN 18120-6: Guidelines for designing rigid PE and PP packaging.
• EN 18120-10 & EN 18120-11: Protocols for PET bottles and other rigid PET packaging.
• EN ISO 178, EN ISO 527 Series: Key test methods for determining flexural and tensile properties of plastics.
• EN ISO 1133-1: Standard methods for measuring melt mass-flow rate of thermoplastics.
• EN ISO 18314-1, EN ISO 1183-1, EN ISO 3451-1: Analytical methods referenced for evaluating physical properties relevant to recyclability assessment.

Referencing these standards ensures harmonized evaluation across different packaging types and materials, contributing to uniformity and reliability in sustainable packaging practices across Europe.

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Keywords: SIST EN 18120-12:2026, design for recycling, rigid plastic packaging, PE packaging, PP packaging, plastic recyclability, packaging evaluation protocol, sustainable packaging, packaging recycling standard, CEN, recyclates, circular economy.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2026
Embalaža - Načrtovanje za recikliranje plastične embalaže - 12. del: Postopek za
ocenjevanje zmožnosti recikliranja plastične embalaže - Protokoli za togo
embalažo iz polietilena (PE) in polipropilena (PP)
Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part 12: Recyclability evaluation
process for plastic packaging - Protocols for PE and PP rigid packaging
Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil
12 - Verfahren zur Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit von Kunststoffverpackungen -
Protokolle für starre Verpackungen aus PE und PP
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en vue de leur recyclage - Partie 12
: Processus d’évaluation de la recyclabilité des emballages plastiques - Protocoles pour
les emballages rigides en PE et PP
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 18120-12:2026
ICS:
13.030.50 Recikliranje Recycling
55.020 Pakiranje in distribucija blaga Packaging and distribution of
na splošno goods in general
83.080.20 Plastomeri Thermoplastic materials
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 18120-12
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.030.50; 55.020
English Version
Packaging - Design for recycling of plastic packaging - Part
12: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging -
Protocols for PE and PP rigid packaging
Emballages - Conception des emballages plastiques en Verpackung - Recyclingorientierte Gestaltung von
vue de leur recyclage - Partie 12 : Processus Kunststoffverpackungsprodukten - Teil 12 - Verfahren
d'évaluation de la recyclabilité des emballages zur Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit von
plastiques - Protocoles pour les emballages rigides en Kunststoffverpackungen - Protokolle für starre
PE et PP Verpackungen aus PE und PP
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 9 February 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 18120-12:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Recyclability evaluation process . 7
4.1 Principle . 7
4.2 Sampling . 9
4.2.1 Test material requirements . 9
4.2.2 Control sample selection . 9
4.2.3 Virgin resin selection. 9
4.3 Test method . 10
4.4 Test report . 10
4.5 Evaluation . 10
Annex A (normative) Experimental determination of the technical recyclability of PE and PP rigid
packaging samples . 11
Annex B (informative) Recommendations for control materials . 26
Annex C (informative) Benchmark recommendations for the assessment of technical recyclability
............................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Bibliography . 33
European foreword
This document (EN 18120-12:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 261
“Packaging”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
The EN 18120 series, under the general title Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging, which
aims via a series of guidelines and protocols to establish consistency and improvement for the design for
recycling of household, industrial and commercial plastic packaging, consists of the following parts:
— Part 1: Definitions and principles for design-for-recycling of plastic packaging
— Part 3: Evaluation processes for the sortability of plastic packaging
— Part 4: Guideline for PET bottles
— Part 5: Guideline for PET rigid packaging (except bottles)
— Part 6: Guideline for PE and PP rigid packaging
— Part 7: Guideline for PE and PP flexible packaging
— Part 8: Guideline for PS and XPS rigid packaging
— Part 9: Guideline for EPS packaging
— Part 10: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PET bottles
— Part 11: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PET rigid packaging
(except bottles)
— Part 12: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP rigid
packaging
— Part 13: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PE and PP flexible
packaging
— Part 14: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for PS and XPS rigid
packaging
— Part 15: Recyclability evaluation process for plastic packaging — Protocols for EPS packaging
Design for recycling guidelines are a common way of evaluating the compatibility with plastic-packaging
collection, sorting and recycling which enables the use of secondary raw materials that are of sufficient
quality when compared to the original material, in state-of-the-art facilities.
They provide guidance on the level of compatibility, defined as:
— green: packaging constituents and components with full compatibility with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling;
— yellow: packaging constituents and components with limited compatibility with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling;
— red: packaging constituents and components which are not compatible with state-of-the-art
collection, sorting and recycling.
The design for recycling guidelines provided in the EN 18120 series cover the design for recycling based
on the knowledge available at the time of the development of this document and are representative of the
state-of-the-art. They consider packaging waste collection, sorting and recycling, so that the recycled
plastic can substitute primary raw materials in packaging application or other applications. Compliance
with the design guidelines in the EN 18120 series does not guarantee that the recycled plastic quality will
be fit for purpose for a specific targeted end application or compliant with applicable regulations.
Packaging recyclability is the combination of design of recycling, proven collection, sorting and recycling
in practice.
1 Scope
This document covers the design of any rigid packaging with the main body of the packaging unit
predominantly made of PE or PP and the design of separate components predominantly made of rigid PE
or rigid PP, with respect to compatibility of the design with state-of-the-art collection, sorting and
recycling processes and useability of the recyclates in an application.
Packaging constituents and packaging components made of other materials than PE and PP are also
covered by this document as they need to be evaluated on compatibility with PE or PP polymer recycling.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 18120-1, Packaging — Design for recycling of plastic packaging — Part 1: Definitions and principles for
design-for-recycling of plastic packaging3
EN ISO 178, Plastics — Determination of flexural properties (ISO 178)
EN ISO 527-1:2019, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 1: General principles
(ISO 527-1:2019)
EN ISO 527-2, Plastics — Determination of tensile properties — Part 2: Test conditions for moulding and
extrusion plastics (ISO 527-2)
EN ISO 1133-1, Plastics — Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate
(MVR) of thermoplastics — Part 1: Standard method (ISO 1133-1)
EN ISO 18314-1, Analytical colorimetry — Part 1: Practical colour measurement (ISO 18314-1)
EN ISO 1183-1, Plastics — Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics — Part 1:
Immersion method, liquid pycnometer method and titration method (ISO 1183-1)
EN ISO 3451-1, Plastics — Determination of ash — Part 1: General methods (ISO 3451-1)
EN ISO 11357-1, Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) — Part 1: General principles
(ISO 11357-1)
EN ISO 11357-3, Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) — Part 3: Determination of
temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization (ISO 11357-3)
EN ISO 11358-1, Plastics — Thermogravimetry (TG) of polymers — Part 1: General principles
(ISO 11358-1)
EN ISO 15512, Plastics — Determination of water content (ISO 15512)
ASTM D2457, Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
ASTM D2463, Standard Test Method for Drop Impact Resistance of Blow-Molded Thermoplastic Containers
ASTM D2659, Standard Test Method for Column Crush Properties of Blown Thermoplastic Containers
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 18120-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Recyclability evaluation process
4.1 Principle
This document provides a method of evaluating the technical recyclability of a rigid PE or PP packaging
sample in mechanical recycling processes as they are implemented in Europe. The results characterize
both the processability of the sample as well as the quality of the recycled plastic.
Depending on the choice of the sample, the method can either provide a technical recyclability
determination for a given packaging design or item, or it can be employed to selectively study the impact
of individual design elements in rigid PE and PP plastic packaging on technical recyclability. The latter
approach may be employed to generate data for the updating of design-for-recycling guidelines.
The test method follows the steps (unit operations) that occur in a state-of-the-art mechanical recycling
process for rigid PE or PP packaging and seeks to simulate each operation on a laboratory scale. The
relevant unit operations are shown in Table 1. Steps 1 and 2 describe the plastic recycling process itself
whereas step 3 represents the conversion of the recycled plastic into products, either bottles or rigid
products. As such, steps 1 and 2 provide information on the processability of the sample whereas step 3
provides information on the quality of the recycled plastic that can be obtained.
The goal of the evaluation process is to identify all foreseeable critical points and establish a testing
strategy that either confirms or excludes a negative impact for each critical point considered. The testing
strategy may only use some of the test described below, if the tested innovation is known to have no
impacts on some unit operations in terms of processing and recyclates quality. The sample size to be
tested is also part of the testing strategy definition. The reasoning for the testing strategy deployed shall
be described in the test report.
Table 1 — List of unit operations in mechanical recycling of PE or PP rigid packaging
Step # Unit operation Description of operation
1 Pretreatment
1.1 Grinding PE or PP based rigid packaging waste is ground into flakes
1.2 Washing The flakes are washed to remove product residue and
optionally components such as labels. Most European PE
and PP rigid packaging recycling lines use cold washing
conditions for coloured items. Hot wash is normally used
to remove inks, and therefore increase the yield and
prevent odour after extrusion. For the purpose of this
protocol, the hot wash shall be used to demonstrate the
effective deinkability of the printing and labels, in cases
where deinkable inks are used.
1.3 Flotation (Washed) flakes are separated from higher density
materials in a float/sink tank. Flakes and other objects
that sink are removed; flakes that float together with the
PE or PP flakes proceed to the next recycling step with the
floating PE or PP flakes
Step # Unit operation Description of operation
1.4 Drying The flakes are dried to reduce their moisture to less than
1,0 % by mass
1.5 Wind sifting Control and test material PE or PP flakes are separately
elutriated with air to remove light fraction
2 Extrusion
2.1 Flakes blend preparation The flakes of the tested samples are mixed with control
samples with different shares.
2.2 Pellet production The dried flakes are extruded into pellets, employing melt
filtration with a mesh size of 150 µm. Temperature range
of the control material as specified in its datasheet should
be used to prevent polymer degradation.
3 Converting The selection criteria for the converting method should be
based on the original application and/or its compatibility
with the melt flow rate (MFR) range required by the
converting process.
3.1 Pellet blend preparation The recycled pellets are blended with other pellets,
typically but not only including virgin grades of the same
polymer (master batch, stabilizers etc.).
PP or PE pellet blends are converted into bottles products
3.2a Blow moulding
by extrusion blow moulding.
3.2b Sheet extrusion PP or PE pellet blends are processed into sheet products
via sheet extrusion.
3.2c Injection moulding Pellets have to be tested for injection moulding to evaluate
tensile properties, colours and defects in a reliable way.
Depending on the final MFR of the pellets, PP or PE pellet
blends are converted into converted into injection
moulded items by injection moulding.
NOTE 1 A statement about the technical recyclability based on other processes such as physical recycling (e.g.
solvent-based) or chemical recycling (e.g. pyrolysis) cannot be derived from the protocol described in this
document. Future versions of this document can include evaluation processes for these recycling technologies. For
PE and PP packaging the operational units from 1 to 2.2 of Table 1 can be applicable for chemical recycling. It is
important that the purity of the oil obtained after thermal treatment (e.g. pyrolysis) and purification is suitable for
feeding steam cracking plants, obtaining monomers compliant with applicable sensitive contact application
regulations or standards.
NOTE 2 This document does not describe sorting steps that occur at material recovery facilities (MRF) or plastics
recovery facilities (PRF). For the evaluation of such sorting operations, see EN 18120-3.
The flow of the test method that is specified in this document simulates the three main steps in the form
of:
1) Pre-treatment of test material and characterization of its behaviour in these processes;
2) Extrusion pre-treated test material flakes, together with control material flakes, to obtain pellet
samples and characterization of those pellets;
3) Conversion of pellet samples, together with virgin resin, into bottles or sheet samples or injection
moulded packaging items depending on MFR and characterization of those samples. The conversion
route used for the test, either 3.2a, or 3.2b or 3.2c, shall be the same as for the manufacturing the
packaging under test.
NOTE 3 This document describes two dilution steps. The first dilution step (creation of flake mixes from test
material flakes and control material flakes at 25 wt% and 50 wt % of test material) represents the dilution of
individual packaging structures in the overall PE/PP rigid packaging recycling stream and therefore in the sorted
bales of waste that recyclers receive.
NOTE 4 Step 1.5, wind sifting, reported in Table 1, is described in EN 18120-3 and it is also known as air
elutriation/classification.
The second dilution step (creation of pellet mixes from pellet samples and virgin resin at 50 wt% of virgin
resin) represents the commercial practice of using less than 100 % of recycled plastic in the production
of bottles or rigid items for packaging applications. In this method, instead of creating a blend of pellets
(compounding), the pellet samples and virgin resin pellets are only dry blended.
4.2 Sampling
4.2.1 Test material requirements
For the purposes of this document, at least 15 kg amount of the packaging material to be evaluated (‘test
material’) is required. The quantity should be based on number or quantity of items instead of weight.
The test material may be provided in form of finished rigid packaging.
In order to provide comparability of results between tests, the test material shall be clean and free of
residual product and not obtained from collected waste but rather taken directly from packaging
production processes.
The test material needs to contain the elements needed to be evaluated.
While information on the composition of the test material may be helpful for the interpretation of results,
this test method is applicable to any rigid PE or PP packaging material. For the evaluation of a packaging
sample, disclosure of the composition is not required. If, however, the method is to be used to update
design-for-recycling guidelines, that is, study the impacts of individual packaging design elements,
detailed information on the structure and composition of the test material is required.
4.2.2 Control sample selection
For the purposes of this document, at least 25 kg of a suitable control material is required. The control
material can be selected from:
— Option 1: An item made from a virgin PE or PP resin or resin blend according to Annex B. The chosen
resin or resin blend shall be extruded into bottles, sheets or injection moulded in rigid items at
conditions resembling commercial practices (in the range (190 to 220) °C for PE and in the range
(200 to 260) °C for PP) or processing temperature should be selected according to the temperature
range of the control material as specified in its datasheet to obtain the control material.
— Option 2: A PE or PP item which is known to be recyclable and consisting of the same base PE or PP
resin or resin blend as the test sample, apart from the constituents or components that are to be
tested such as labels, print etc.
4.2.3 Virgin resin selection
For the conversion tests into bottles, sheets or rigid items, at least 25 kg of a suitable virgin resin in form
of pellets is required. This virgin resin is used for creating pellet mixes (i.e. mix of pellet samples with virgin
pellets). It can be selected from the resins as described under the bottles, sheets, or injection moulded
items models in Annex B.
Packaging structures that contain additional elements such as spouts, caps, zips, valves shall be tested only in form
of finished packaging articles.
4.3 Test method
Conduct the testing according to the method described in Annex A.
4.4 Test report
Create the test report according to the requirements described in Annex A.
4.5 Evaluation
To aid in the evaluation of the technical recyclability, benchmark recommendation values in Annex C may
be consulted.
Annex A
(normative)
Experimental determination of the technical recyclability of PE and PP rigid
packaging samples
A.1 Principle
The method described in this annex provides a way of evaluating the technical recyclability of a rigid PE
or PP packaging sample in mechanical recycling processes as they are implemented in Europe. The test
method follows the steps (unit operations) that occur in a mechanical recycling process for rigid PE or PP
packaging and seeks to simulate each operation on a laboratory scale. The results characterize both the
processability (A.5.2) of the sample as well as the quality of the recycled plastic (A.5.3).
WARNING – The use of this document can involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. It
does not purport to address all of the safety or environmental risks associated with its use.
A.2 Apparatus
Aside from common laboratory equipment and tools, and the equipment required by the normative
references, the following is required to conduct the testing described in this document.
A.2.1 Granulator, suitable for grinding sample and control into flakes of (10 to 20) mm edge
length. For the evaluation of label removal, a wet granulator can be used.
A.2.2 Cylindrical laundry net (net for washing clothing with two nets, with approx.
dimensions of height = 12,5 cm, diameter = 6,5 cm). This net shall be filled with approx. 30 % of the
maximum volume of the net. The inside mesh size should be between (0,5 and 1) mm. The outside mesh
side should be bigger than 1 mm.
A.2.3 Washing machine that can control temperature and water volume (e.g. 30 °C and 12 l).
A.2.4 Sieve, (30 to 60) cm diameter, with (0,5 to 1) mm holes, for removing floating flakes from
water.
A.2.5 Trays, ca 50 cm × 90 cm for drying flakes.
A.2.6 Forced convection oven, capable of reaching 100 °C.
A.2.7 (Optional) Dryer hopper or climate-controlled room at 60 °C for quickly drying large
quantities of flakes.
A.2.8 Rigid of flexible container for mixing flakes, with a volume of ca. (20 to 30) l, suitable for
the mixing of 5 kg of flakes.
A.2.9 Co-rotating twin-screw extruder with a screw diameter in the range of (25 to 35) mm, a
minimum L/D in the range of (18 to 25)/1, a 150 μm melt filter, a throughput of (5 to 10) kg/h, a vacuum
degassing unit and underwater pelletisation unit. The extruder should be preferably equipped with a
thermocouple in the barrel to measure the melt temperature or alternatively allow for manual
measurement at the exit.
If a strand pelletiser is to be used, confirm melt strength before performing the testing.
A.2.10 (For testing PE and PP) Single screw blow moulding extruder with a screw diameter of
25 mm, a throughput of about 3,5 kg/h.
A.2.11 (For testing PP and PE) Single screw sheet extruder with a screw diameter of 25 mm, a
L/D value of 30, a throughput of about (4 to 7) kg/h and a sheet die of 300 mm width.
A.2.12 (For testing PP and PE) Injection moulding machine dimensioned according to final item
selected.
A.2.13 Brass brushes, for cleaning the extruder barrel and screws.
A.3 Reagents and consumables
A.3.1 Tap water
A.3.2 25 kg of control material (PE or PP)
A.3.3 25 kg of virgin resin (PE or PP), in form of pellets
A.3.4 10 kg of high drag power cleaning resin (PE or PP), in form of pellets
A.3.5 Containers for storing flakes and pellets
A.4 Sampling
Sampling shall be conducted in accordance with 4.2.
A.5 Procedure
A.5.1 Preparation of test material and control material and evaluation of processability
A.5.1.1 Grinding
Grind 15 kg of the packaging sample (‘test material’) in a shredder to obtain test material flakes sized
between (10 and 20) mm. Record the weight of the test material submitted to the grinder and the weight
of the obtained test material flakes. Take a photo of the test material flakes after grinding. For proper
label-removal evaluation, grinding should be done using wet-grinding and/or a wet granulator
equipment. In this case the temperature of the water should be recorded and should not exceed 40° C,
which is the temperature normally reached in an industrial recycling plant
Report any anomalies during grinding, such as build-up, agglomerate formation, or slow-down, stop or
damage of the machinery. If anomalies occur, also record them in form of photos .
Repeat above steps with 25 kg of control material to obtain control material flakes.
A.5.1.2 Washing
A.5.1.2.1 General
Washing tests shall be conducted only if the test material contains labels, surface coatings, surface
printing, moisture-sensitive materials, or constituents with unknown behaviour. If such elements are not
present, continue at A.5.2.
Based on a review of the packaging design according to EN 18120-6 (all constituents and integrated components
in the fully compatible column) or based on prior testing according to the protocol described in this document.
A.5.1.2.2 Cold wash
Charge the wash vessel at a 4:1 weight ratio with tap water and test material flakes.
Stir the contents of the wash vessel for 5 minutes at 1 000 rpm. Drain the vessel through a sieve and
record a photo of the wash water. Record the presence of suspended particles or fibres in the wash water
as well as any water colouration.
Charge the vessel at a 4:1 weight ratio with tap water and test material flakes and heat the water to 40 °C.
Record a photo of the test material flakes after the rinse water has been drained. Note the presence of
surface tack on the flakes, if present, as well as the presence of label residues on the surface of the flakes.
Spread flakes on a sheet and dry it an oven at 60 °C to release surface moisture to less than 1,0 %. Separate
flakes and remaining components if required. Washed and unwashed flakes will be compared for visual
(and instrumental, if required) evaluations.
A.5.1.2.3 Hot wash
Charge the wash vessel at a 4:1 weight ratio with tap water and test material flakes.
Stir the contents of the wash vessel for 5 minutes at 1 000 rpm. Drain the vessel through a sieve and
record a photo of the wash water. Record the presence of suspended particles or fibres in the wash water
as well as any water colouration.
Prepare the wash solution in a vessel at a 1:4 ratio plus suitable detergent (CTAC 0,002 g/ml of water;
defomer 0,000 5 g/ml of water) and caustic soda (NaOH, 0,01 g/ml of water).
Heat the solution to 80°C on a plate covering the vessel to minimize evaporation.
Overhead stirrer at 1 000 rpm, 2,5 cm above the bottom. With stirrer on add flakes with its components
to the solution (maintain a 1:4 ratio, i.e. 1 part of flake for 4 parts of water).
Readjust stirrer to 1 000 rpm and continue agitation for 10 minutes at selected temperature.
Turn off and remove the stirrer. Remove the vessel from heat plate and immediately strain the solution
with test components and flakes.
Rinse the flakes in the strainer with cold running tap water and stir vigorously for 5 minutes using manual
stirring bar. Then drain the material. Save the water for further inspection.
Spread flakes on a sheet and dry it an oven at 60 °C to release surface moisture to less than 1,0 wt%.
Separate flakes and remaining components if required. Washed and unwashed flakes will be compared
for visual (and instrumental, if required) evaluations.
A.5.1.3 Flotation
Charge the flotation vessel at a 6:1 weight ratio of tap water to (washed) test material flakes. Ensure the
water temperature is between 20 °C and 25 °C.
Stir the contents of the vessel
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