In a major step forward for sustainable packaging, Siegwerk, a global leader in printing inks and coatings, has received a groundbreaking technology approval from RecyClass for its UV/LED-curable ink solutions used on polyethylene (PE) flexible packaging. This marks the first time RecyClass has formally approved UV-curable ink technology for PE films, closing a long-standing gap in recycling guidelines and unlocking broader use of high-performance inks in recyclable formats.
This decision could shift how brands and converters approach flexible packaging design in Europe, helping drive more circular solutions without performance compromises. Read on for key details and implications of this industry milestone.
What RecyClass Approval Means for UV/LED Inks
RecyClass is a respected European initiative focused on advancing plastic packaging recyclability and circularity. Its technology approval process confirms that specific materials or technologies do not hinder the recycling of a given polymer stream.
In this case, RecyClass evaluated multiple acrylic UV/LED-curable inks and varnishes from Siegwerk’s SICURA series. The evaluation was based on independent lab testing of SICURA Nutriflex NT26 under RecyClass’s PE Films Recyclability Evaluation Protocol. Results showed the inks to be fully compatible with the colored PE flexibles recycling stream in Europe, provided that packaging is designed according to RecyClass design rules.
UV-curable inks have long been popular in flexible packaging for their fast curing and high print quality but have not been explicitly covered in prior RecyClass design for recycling guidelines for PE films. This approval fills that regulatory blank space.
A Broad Range of Ink Products Now Validated
The approval extends beyond a single ink. Besides SICURA Nutriflex NT26, RecyClass extended technology approval on a chemical equivalence basis to several additional acrylic UV/LED-curable inks and varnishes used across narrow web, sheetfed, and liquid food packaging applications.
The products now considered fully compatible with PE recycling streams include:
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SICURA Nutriflex NT25
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SICURA Nutriflex 10
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SICURA Nutriflex LEDtec
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SICURA Nutriflex OPV
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SICURA Flex Dual Cure
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SICURA Flex OPV
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SICURA Litho Pack and DC versions
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SICURA Nutriplast 2N and 2DC
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SICURA Nutri GTR
These formulations are now recognized as recyclable-friendly under the same validated conditions that applied to the NT26 baseline product test.
Industry Reaction and What It Means for Packaging Sustainability
Industry experts see this approval as a turning point. Marc Larvor, Head of Technology Narrow Web EMEA at Siegwerk, noted that the approval “closes a critical gap in recycling” by proving that UV/LED inks can combine performance with full recyclability.
Lara Kleines, Siegwerk’s business partner for recycling and polymers, said the milestone “effectively opens the door for brand owners to use high-performance UV-curable inks in recyclable PE packaging formats”. This gives designers and converters more freedom to balance aesthetic quality with environmental responsibility.
Such industry validation can build confidence across the value chain. Brand owners, who often prioritize sustainability commitments, now have a clearer pathway to choose UV/LED inks without fearing negative impacts on recyclability. Converters can integrate these approved products into PE flexible packaging structures while still aligning with circular design targets.
Why This Matters for Circular Packaging
Recycling systems are under pressure globally to improve the quality and availability of recycled plastics. Flexible packaging, especially PE films, is widely used for food and consumer goods but traditionally is harder to recycle due to complex inks, adhesives, and multi-material constructions.
The RecyClass approval reinforces the importance of design for recycling principles — ensuring that each component in packaging supports, rather than hinders, the material’s value in recycling streams. It also builds on other industry work to improve recyclability of inks and coatings, such as new RecyClass approvals for NC-free PU and acrylic inks that show positive performance for PE and polypropylene recycling.
Still, it is important to stress that this approval applies only to the ink technology itself, not to finished packaging. Manufacturers must still ensure a complete packaging design — including substrates, inks, and other components — meets all RecyClass design thresholds to achieve full recyclability certification.
What This Signals for the Packaging Market
The approval underscores several key trends:
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Increased focus on circular design: Packaging makers are prioritizing materials and processes that support recycling and reuse.
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Innovation in ink chemistry: New UV/LED-curable and NC-free formulations are expanding the toolkit for sustainable printing without compromising quality.
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Collaboration between chemical suppliers and recyclability programs: Industry partnerships and rigorous testing protocols are critical for aligning material innovations with recycling infrastructure requirements.
For European markets in particular, where regulations like the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation put recycling performance at the forefront, such approvals can accelerate adoption of greener solutions. Cross-industry cooperation will remain essential to meet evolving regulatory targets and consumer expectations.
Next Steps for Brands and Converters
Brands interested in adopting UV/LED-curable inks for PE packaging should:
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Audit packaging designs to ensure compliance with RecyClass design for recycling guidelines
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Partner with ink suppliers to verify product compatibility and performance
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Engage recycling stakeholders early in design processes to avoid bottlenecks
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Consider emerging NC-free and deinking technologies to further improve circularity
Such steps not only strengthen sustainability credentials but can also contribute to improved recyclate quality — a key economic and environmental driver.
,Siegwerk’s RecyClass technology approval represents a concrete advance in packaging sustainability. It provides a practical route for brands and converters to adopt high-performance UV printing while maintaining recyclability of PE films. This milestone reflects ongoing industry momentum toward circular packaging solutions across Europe and beyond.
Tell us what you think about this development in packaging recycling and innovation in the comments section. Use hashtag #SiegwerkRecyClass to join the conversation.
