The Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) establishes recyclability as a market access condition for beverage packaging in the EU. From 2030, only packaging classified within recyclability grades A, B or C will be allowed, moving sustainability from a voluntary commitment to a regulatory requirement.
For beverage brands, this means that packaging decisions must be evaluated from a design-for-recycling perspective, considering not only materials but also all components applied to the bottle.
This regulatory shift is accelerating interest in label-free and naked bottle concepts, where packaging simplicity directly improves recyclability performance.
ClearPix supports this transition by enabling recyclability by design at the identification level, aligning packaging architecture with PPWR requirements from the outset.
Label-free PET bottles: a direct response to PPWR recyclability grading
Under PPWR, recyclability is assessed at packaging unit level, not by material alone. Elements such as labels, inks and adhesives can significantly reduce recyclability performance by:
- Interfering with optical sorting systems.
- Complicating washing and separation processes.
- Reducing the quality of recycled PET, especially for food-grade applications.
As a result, PET bottles with full sleeves or non-compatible labels risk being downgraded under PPWR recyclability grades.
Label-free PET bottles eliminate these risks at design stage. ClearPix enables direct laser marking on PET bottles, removing labels, inks and adhesives entirely and supporting higher recyclability performance under PPWR assessment criteria.
PPWR compliance without sacrificing traceability or production efficiency
A common concern for packaging and operations managers is whether label-free bottles can still meet regulatory identification and traceability requirements.
PPWR requires packaging to carry:
- Batch or serial identification
- Manufacturer identification
- Supporting conformity documentation
ClearPix provides permanent, ink-free laser coding that remains legible throughout the entire supply chain, even in humid, cold or high-speed beverage environments.
This allows beverage manufacturers to maintain full traceability, audit readiness and operational efficiency, while preserving recyclability performance — a key requirement under PPWR.
ClearPix as a strategic design solution for PPWR-ready beverage packaging
ClearPix, developed by Macsa id, goes beyond traditional coding technologies.
It functions as a design-for-recycling strategy, enabling beverage brands to:
- Improve PPWR recyclability grades.
- Eliminate non-compatible packaging components.
- Support high-quality mechanical recycling of PET.
- Future-proof packaging designs against regulatory changes.
In the context of PPWR and current sustainability trends, ClearPix transforms laser coding into a core packaging design decision, aligned with regulatory compliance, circular economy goals and long-term market access.