Henkel’s Shanghai lab gains EU recyclability testing accreditation

CHINA – Henkel’s packaging laboratory in Shanghai has received accreditation from the cyclos-HTP Institute to conduct EU-recognized paper packaging recyclability testing, enabling Asia-Pacific customers to assess compliance with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation locally instead of sending samples to Europe.

The accreditation follows an official audit by the cyclos-HTP Institute (CHI) and authorises the site to issue externally recognised assessment reports accepted in the EU. 

The Shanghai facility now applies two recognised European paper packaging recyclability test protocols: CEPI/4evergreen and CHI. 

The move expands Henkel’s regional support for packaging producers, converters and brand owners facing the PPWR and broader recyclability requirements across the Asia-Pacific region. 

Supporting PPWR Compliance Across Asia-Pacific

Henkel Asia Pacific Packaging Adhesives Vice-President Alejandro Schoenhoff stated that the PPWR will reshape the competitive landscape of the packaging industry, and the accreditation marks an important milestone in bringing Europe’s recyclability assessment capabilities closer to customers in Asia-Pacific. 

The Shanghai site forms part of Henkel’s wider Packaging Recyclab network, alongside a facility in Düsseldorf, Germany, helping customers explore, test and optimise packaging solutions from concept development through recyclability assessment. 

Asia-Pacific plays an essential role in global packaging supply chains across electronics, consumer goods, food and other sectors, with many regional companies previously relying on European laboratories for recognised testing. 

The laboratory currently focuses on paper packaging, with preparatory work underway to add plastic packaging recyclability assessments.

Design for Recyclability and Future Plastic Assessments

Yanjie Zheng, Sustainability Manager for Packaging Adhesives at Henkel Asia Pacific, noted that given the enormous export volume of China and Asia-Pacific, addressing these challenges is imperative, with Henkel building an integrated solution covering the packaging lifecycle from design to end-of-life recycling and regulatory compliance. 

The facility enables customers to work with Henkel experts earlier in the development phase to identify improvement opportunities, generate technical data and build documentation for recyclability assessments before production is finalised. 

The laboratories are integrated into Henkel’s global Inspiration Center set-up and are used to examine and refine packaging options from early development to recyclability review.

Over time, the site is expected to extend its testing coverage to additional export packaging types, providing a comprehensive solution for packaging producers navigating complex global regulatory landscapes.

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