Toyochem to Bring Alkali-Soluble Hot-Melt Adhesives for Roll Labels to Global Markets

Toyochem Co., Ltd., the polymer materials division of Japan’s artience Group, is expanding the global availability of its Labelmelt series of its alkali-soluble hot-melt adhesives for roll-fed film labels. As Japan’s top hot-melt adhesive provider for PET bottle labeling, Toyochem has begun marketing its leading Labelmelt hot-melt adhesives to worldwide markets. These adhesives allow labels to peel off cleanly during the alkaline bath process, ensuring high-purity recycled PET flakes. As global mandates for higher recyclability including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are accelerating, Toyochem is looking to help manufacturers meet their sustainability and recycling targets, while fostering a closed-loop circular economy.

“We’re excited to bring our popular Labelmelt series to markets outside Japan,” said Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Technical Manager of Toyochem. "These hot melt adhesives are specially optimized for high-speed roll label applications, enabling fast, durable adhesion on PET and glass surfaces. Since Labelmelt adhesives are alkali-soluble, they allow the label to be separated from the container in an alkali bath without leaving any adhesive residue. This technology is critical to bottle-to-bottle recycling as it substantially improves the quality of recycled plastic and reduce contamination."

Moreover, hot melt adhesive usage is a key driver of the roll-fed label market, enabling high-speed and cost-effective labeling for high-volume production. Yamaguchi explains: "In-house lab testing for roll labels show a 70% lower carbon footprint during labeling compared to alternatives like adhesive and shrink-wrap sleeve labels. They also decrease raw material usage by eliminating liner waste, which can reduce material costs by our estimates by about 85% relative to adhesive labels. In addition, roll labels are typically thinner in application than traditional shrink sleeve films for a roughly 40% material savings. Roll-fed technology remains a leading, cost-efficient and eco-friendly choice for large-scale beverage production today. With Labelmelt adhesives, we aim to help brands transition to high-recyclability packaging designs that align with PPWR, EPR and other global environmental laws."

The Labelmelt series complies with the strict "Voluntary Design Guidelines" set by the Japan’s Council for PET Bottle Recycling, ensuring high-quality recycling. In addition to Labelmelt, Toyochem offers a wide range of eco-friendly hot-melt solutions, such as thermal label and UV-curable types, All products are engineered to meet specific performance requirements, while integrating seamlessly with existing production machinery or coating systems.

Source: Toyochem

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