Henkel launches Packaging RecycLab in Shanghai to enhance recycling innovation

CHINA – Henkel has inaugurated its Packaging RecycLab in Shanghai, a dedicated facility focused on testing adhesive technologies to improve packaging recyclability. 

The lab simulates real-world industrial recycling processes based on the CEPI/4Evergreen framework, generating data that guides manufacturers in refining designs for better end-of-life outcomes. 

This setup allows for localized evaluations tailored to China’s unique market demands, covering everything from material choices to structural adjustments.

In a statement, Henkel described the lab as an integrated hub for development, testing, and partnerships with industry, academia, and research groups. 

It responds directly to pressures from the upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which sets stricter rules on waste reduction and material recovery. 

The facility processes samples to measure adhesive performance during sorting, washing, and repulping stages, helping clients cut down on contamination risks in fiber-based packaging.

A delegation from the China Packaging Federation, led by Chairperson Li Hua, toured the site and kicked off the 2025 Green Packaging Recycling China Tour alongside Henkel executives. 

Li Hua called the lab “valuable infrastructure for the entire industry,” noting its blend of global standards and regional insights during the visit. 

Discussions centered on potential joint projects to standardize recycling protocols across suppliers.

Yanjie Zheng, Henkel’s APAC sustainability manager for packaging adhesives, highlighted ongoing hurdles in the sector. 

Challenges include lowering carbon emissions in production and ensuring compliance with local disposal rules, she explained. 

Henkel’s approach integrates these elements through customized technical support, enabling faster adoption of eco-friendly adhesives that maintain bond strength without hindering recyclers.

Dr. Alejandro Schoenhoff, head of packaging for APAC at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, described the opening as a concrete move to aid the industry’s shift. 

“We are helping customers select materials and tweak structures via targeted services,” he said, adding that these steps cut environmental impacts while delivering cost savings estimated at up to 15% in material use for select applications. 

The lab already handles over 200 test runs monthly, providing verifiable results to speed up product certifications.

Earlier this year,, the company revamped packaging for its Fa personal care line, incorporating 30% recycled content to reduce virgin plastic by 500 metric tons annually. 

In a related development from late September, Henkel unveiled a solvent-free adhesive system, Loctite Liofol LA 7837/LA 6265, priced at around US$2.50 per kilogram, for high-barrier retort pouches in the pet food sector. 

This product withstands sterilization at 121°C, minimizing waste in flexible packaging lines that process 10 million units daily.

Henkel plans to ramp up R&D spending in China by US$10 million over the next two years, targeting expanded collaborations with local recyclers. 

The company aims to equip more firms with tools for closed-loop systems, where 70% of tested adhesives now pass recyclability thresholds, up from 45% last year. 

Early partners report shorter development cycles, dropping from six months to three for new eco-label compliant designs.

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