Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Henkel Adhesive Technologies has officially inaugurated its specialised Packaging RecycLab in Shanghai, China. This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to rigorous testing and evaluation of how advanced adhesive solutions can become a catalyst for enhancing packaging recyclability, thereby dramatically accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
The launch of the RecycLab comes at a critical juncture. Global regulatory pressures, particularly the impending EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), are driving brands and converters worldwide to drastically rethink their packaging designs. While the PPWR is an EU regulation, its influence extends globally, setting a de facto standard for international trade and corporate sustainability commitments. By establishing this advanced center in Shanghai, Henkel is proactively equipping the Chinese and broader APAC adhesives market to meet these evolving local and international standards.
Deepening localised innovation
The new RecycLab is an integrated hub combining product development, cutting-edge testing, performance evaluation, and collaborative research with academia and industry partners. This is not just a laboratory; it is a strategic piece of infrastructure for the entire region.
Crucially, the facility is built upon the internationally recognised CEPI/4Evergreen testing framework. This ensures that the simulations of industrial recycling processes conducted in Shanghai produce data that is globally relevant yet localised to reflect Asian waste streams and infrastructure nuances. This critical data allows Henkel’s customers—from packaging converters to major brand owners—to optimise their materials and packaging structures, fully embedding the principles of ‘design-for-recycling’ into their processes.
Dr. Alejandro Schoenhoff, Head of Packaging APAC at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, underscored the strategic rationale behind the investment. “The Chinese market holds a pivotal role in driving global sustainability efforts,” he stated. “The inauguration of the Henkel Packaging RecycLab in China is a key strategic move that reinforces our long-term, tangible commitment to the region.”
He explained that the initiative is an active step to lead the transformation of packaging. By providing systematic technical services, the lab assists customers in making informed choices about material selection and structural design. This ultimately works to reduce their environmental footprint, securing a “win-win” outcome that balances economic competitiveness with ecological responsibility. The localised nature of the testing is paramount, ensuring that solutions are optimised for the unique demands of the fast-growing and complex APAC market.
The launch event was highlighted by a distinguished visit from a delegation of the China Packaging Federation (CPF), led by Chairperson LI Hua. The CPF’s presence and subsequent discussions on future cooperation signal the national importance of this facility and the increasing collaboration between global industry leaders and Chinese government-linked organizations to drive green transformation.
Chairperson LI Hua acknowledged the significance of Henkel’s contribution to China’s packaging sector. “The Packaging RecycLab masterfully blends an international perspective with essential local market needs,” she commented. “It is poised to serve as an invaluable piece of infrastructure for the entire industry, offering a world-class recycling verification platform.”
The visit culminated in a symbolic and forward-looking act: the joint initiation of the 2025 ‘Green Packaging Recycling China Tour’. This campaign, first championed by the CPF in 2023, has historically inspired hundreds of value-chain enterprises to pursue meaningful packaging upgrades. By symbolically passing the ‘green torch’ at the RecycLab, the CPF and Henkel cemented their shared commitment to encouraging wider adoption of circular economy practices across the country.
Yanjie Zheng, APAC Sustainability Manager for Henkel Packaging Adhesives, provided further context on the company’s holistic strategy. She highlighted that Henkel’s integrated adhesive solutions are designed to tackle the critical challenges that span the entire packaging lifecycle. This includes minimising carbon footprint, ensuring compliance with local and international end-of-life recycling regulations, and facilitating sustainable packaging design from conception.
The challenges facing the industry—from overcoming the hurdles posed by multi-material laminates to incorporating Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content—cannot be solved in isolation. The core mission of the Packaging RecycLab extends beyond technical testing; it is about fostering a collaborative ecosystem.
Henkel is committed to increasing its innovation investments in China and actively expanding its network of partners. Achieving truly sustainable packaging requires coordinated efforts across all segments of the value chain: raw material suppliers, packaging converters, brand owners, recyclers, and regulatory bodies. The RecycLab will serve as the technical backbone for this collaboration, allowing partners to test and validate next-generation, recyclable adhesive formulations designed to maximize material recovery and minimise contamination in the recycling stream.
By providing this crucial platform for verified, localized recycling innovation, Henkel is not just strengthening its position as a global leader in adhesive technologies; it is actively contributing to the realisation of China’s ambitious green economy goals. This strategic investment in Shanghai underscores a powerful vision where advanced chemistry and collaboration are key to unlocking a truly circular future for packaging in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Tags: Adhesive Technologies, APAC adhesives, circular economy, design-for-recycling, green transformation, packaging recycling, sustainable packaging
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