Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests sit alongside operational sorting tests as another strand of CIRCPACK's testing capability. Where an operational test measures how a packaging behaves in a real sorting facility, a laboratory test measures how it behaves during reprocessing, under controlled conditions and against a defined protocol.

Many different tests - Wash, pulping, NIR, fibre loss, glue removal, sink-float separation, transport and friction tests. All different and able to shed light on different topics that have an influence on recycling. The results can be used as inputs to certification and as standalone supporting evidence for design decisions.

According to protocol - All CIRCPACK laboratory tests are run against the applicable protocol version current at the time of the test. Where a test is performed in support of a certification audit, the protocol reference is stated on the test report and on the certificate.

The laboratory tests we run:

• Wash tests/shredding test - This mimics the washing step in plastic recycling. It measures how well labels, sleeves, adhesives and inks (ink bleeding) come off the packaging body, and what residues remain in the wash water. These tests are performed according to the RecyClass protocol.
• Pulping test - This simulates the pulping step in paper & cardboard packaging recycling. It measures fibre yield, the behaviour of inks, coatings and barrier layers, and the level of contaminants in the recovered pulp. We test according to the CEPI 3.0 methodology and you will receive a 4Evergreen scoring (ranging from -100 to +100)
• Fibre loss test - This measures the amount of fibre loss from a paper label on a plastic packaging. Fibre loss has a negatiove influence on the quality of recycled plastics.
• Glue removal test - This evaluates how effectively labels and sleeves detach from the substrate during recycling. The result feeds into both the wash test interpretation and the design-stage recommendation on adhesives.
• Sink-float separation test - This imitates the density-based separation step in plastic recycling, where polymers are sorted by whether they sink or float in water. The result determines whether closures, labels and full-body sleeves can be separated correctly from the main packaging material.
• Transport and friction test - This tests mimics the mechanical resilience of the packaging through the forces of collection, compaction and sorting. They establish whether packaging components (like cardboard banderoles or separable caps on a crips packaging) detach during the journey. This defines of a component's recyclability should be stand alone or part of the main packaging.

CIRCPACK's role:

The tests are run by CIRCPACK. We either run them in our own laboratories or through qualified third-party laboratories where local proximity or specialised equipment is required.