Innovia Films Expands Sustainable Packaging with New Recyclable Shrink Sleeve

Published: 05 Mar 2025

Author: Precedence Research

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Innovia Films has launched the next-generation shrink sleeve made with recyclable polyolefin material committed to sustainability. This is a huge step towards creating an environmental solution for brands by switching from non-recyclable shrink sleeves to this alternative. Innovia's high shrink RayoFloat™ costs towards avoiding the deep-welted PVC and PET-G shrink sleeves which restrict recycling. Switching to polyolefin-based shrink sleeves will improve the recyclability of packaging without any compromise on performance or aesthetics. This material does meet recyclers' certification and endorsements from RecyClass in Europe and APR in the U.S.

Overcoming Traditional Limitations of Polyolefin

Innovia Films is launching a new RayoFloat™ shrink sleeve design with a controlled up to 73% transverse direction shrinkage that allows for adaptation to packaging formats for, among others, bottles. Key properties of this sleeve are ultra-high shrinkability, high-gloss finish, excellent clarity, and scuff resistance. Its suitability for steam and hot air shrink tunnels ensures a wide range of applications in the packaging industry. Apart from transparency, the company has introduced a white low-density variant called RayoFloat™ WAPO, which possesses light-blocking properties ideal for light-sensitive products, such as dairy, dietary supplements, and vitamins. By transferring the light-blocking function to the printed sleeve, brands can boost recyclability without compromising product protection.

Enhancing Recycling Efficiency

The new RayoFloat™ shrink sleeves are a technology that can improve the efficiency of PET recycling. The low-density, polyolefin material floats in water to facilitate its use in a sink/float separation process at PET recycling facilities. The result is high-quality and clean PET flakes, which can be re-recycled for food-grade packaging. This separation process prevents contamination of the PET recycling streams and, therefore, strengthens the economy by enhancing the circular economy of keeping plastic packaging within the recycling loop rather than going to landfills.

Meeting Global Sustainability Standards

Innovia Films has now recently announced that the new RayoFloat™ shrink sleeve has acquired RecyClass Certification and APR Validation that affirms recycling readiness within the existing infrastructure. This means the end-users and brands can rest assured that the RayoFloat™ shrink sleeves will do their part in a functioning recycling process and are durable and sustainable. With increasing global regulatory pressure for stringent sustainability in packaging, demand for recyclable and eco-friendly materials has further grown. Innovia Films now looks toward enhanced recognition of its latest innovation that will help refresh the beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries into making more grounds in sustainable packaging without sacrificing functionality and design.

Looking Ahead

Innovia Films is concentrating on increasing the sustainability of packaging materials, and the trend for eco-friendly shrink sleeves should begin picking up pace soon. RayoFloat™ offers brands a way to environmentally and high-performing alternate choices to conventional shrink sleeves with which to fulfill growing consumer demands for environmentally-friendly packaging. By trying to meet consumer and market expectations for environmentally responsible packaging, Innovia Films itself is accomplishing the sustainable transformation of the packaging industry.