Henkel Brings European Paper Packaging Recyclability Testing Capabilities Closer to Asia-Pacific Customers

Henkel’s Packaging Recyclab in Shanghai is cyclos-HTP accredited for EU paper packaging recyclability testing.

(IN BRIEF) Henkel has announced that its Packaging Recyclab Shanghai has received cyclos-HTP Institute (CHI) accreditation, authorising the site to conduct EU paper packaging recyclability testing and issue EU-recognised external assessment reports for customers across Asia-Pacific. The accreditation supports packaging manufacturers, converters and brand owners preparing for the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) by giving them local access to recognised testing capabilities under the CEPI/4evergreen and CHI protocols, reducing the need to send samples to Europe and helping shorten development timelines. The facility, part of Henkel’s global Packaging Recyclab network alongside Düsseldorf, will support customers from concept development through recyclability assessment, with a focus on design, material selection, coatings, adhesives, structural performance and documentation for compliance. Henkel said the Shanghai site currently focuses on paper packaging, with preparatory work under way to add plastic packaging recyclability assessments, while its broader role will include generating performance data, supporting design-for-recyclability practices and helping Asia-Pacific exporters access international compliance pathways.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 18-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Henkel has strengthened its packaging compliance support in Asia-Pacific after its Packaging Recyclab Shanghai passed the official audit of the cyclos-HTP Institute, known as CHI.

The accreditation authorises the Shanghai site to carry out EU paper packaging recyclability testing and issue EU-recognised external test assessment reports for customers across the region.

The development gives packaging manufacturers, converters and brand owners in Asia-Pacific a local route to certified recyclability testing as they prepare for the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, known as PPWR, and increasingly complex recyclability requirements.

The accreditation also positions the Packaging Recyclab Shanghai as an important part of Henkel’s growing global Packaging Recyclab network, alongside the company’s facility in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Integrated into Henkel’s global Inspiration Center experience, the laboratories help customers explore, test and optimise packaging solutions from concept development through to recyclability assessment.

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

This enables Asia-Pacific exporters to test and assess packaging to EU standards locally, rather than sending samples to Europe.

Henkel said the local testing capability can reduce development time and provide customers with earlier clarity for market access planning.

Supporting compliance through local testing

The PPWR sets requirements covering packaging design, recyclability performance, recycled content, hazardous substance limits and reuse criteria.

It also strengthens Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, obligations for producers placing packaging on the EU market.

For companies exporting to Europe, Henkel said packaging compliance is becoming part of market readiness rather than a downstream check.

Asia-Pacific plays a key role in global packaging supply chains across sectors including electronics, consumer goods, food, light industry and other areas.

Until now, many companies in the region have relied on European laboratories for recognised paper packaging recyclability testing.

Henkel Packaging Recyclab Shanghai is designed to address this challenge by providing local access to internationally aligned testing capabilities and technical expertise.

Alejandro Schoenhoff, Vice President Packaging Adhesives at Henkel Asia Pacific, said the PPWR will reshape the competitive landscape of the packaging industry.

He said CHI’s accreditation of the Packaging Recyclab in Shanghai marks an important milestone in bringing Europe’s authoritative recyclability assessment and testing capabilities closer to customers in Asia-Pacific.

Schoenhoff added that the accreditation underscores Henkel’s long-term commitment to China and the wider region and represents another step in helping local businesses meet stringent global market entry requirements.

Designing for recyclability globally

For packaging exporters, evolving regulation creates both compliance obligations and an opportunity to rethink packaging design from the beginning.

Henkel said design for recyclability goes beyond determining whether a material is theoretically recyclable.

It also requires companies to understand how packaging performs in real recycling processes and to consider material selection, coatings, adhesives and structural design as part of one integrated system.

Packaging Recyclab Shanghai supports this shift by enabling a more connected workflow across design, testing, assessment and optimisation.

Instead of relying only on post-production checks, customers can work with Henkel experts earlier in the development phase to identify improvement opportunities, generate technical data and support documentation for recyclability assessment.

Yanjie Zheng, Sustainability Manager Packaging Adhesives at Henkel Asia Pacific, said the export volume of China and the wider Asia-Pacific region makes addressing these challenges essential.

She said Henkel has built an integrated end-to-end solution covering the packaging lifecycle, from design and manufacturing applications to end-of-life recycling and regulatory compliance.

Zheng added that Henkel Packaging Recyclab Shanghai gives packaging exporters an efficient and reliable path to international compliance.

Supporting transformation across packaging

Henkel is one of the world’s largest suppliers of industrial adhesives, with a portfolio covering commercial packaging formats across the value chain.

Packaging Recyclab Shanghai currently focuses on paper packaging.

Preparatory work is under way to add plastic packaging recyclability assessments, and the site plans to expand its testing scope over time to cover further export packaging categories.

Alongside its testing capabilities, the Shanghai laboratory will generate data on packaging structure performance, support design-for-recyclability practices and share insights with the wider industry.

Henkel said the facility gives Asia-Pacific customers access to local expertise, internationally aligned testing and a clearer route toward circular packaging design.

Through the cyclos-HTP accreditation, Henkel is expanding its ability to support packaging compliance, recyclability assessment and circular packaging development for customers serving the European market.

Media Contact:

Sebastian Hinz
Adhesive Technologies
Media Relations
Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-8594
press@henkel.com

SOURCE: Henkel