Shrink Sleeves That Recycle Smarter: How Inovar’s Magnetic Coating Enhances Sustainability

Shrink sleeves are a powerful branding tool, offering full-body, 360° designs that stand out on shelf. But while they capture attention, traditional shrink sleeves often create challenges during recycling. Inovar Packaging Group is solving that issue with a breakthrough magnetic coating technology that allows shrink sleeves to be removed efficiently during the recycling process. The result is a more sustainable solution that doesn’t compromise on visual impact.

Many shrink sleeves are made from materials like PET-G, PVC, or OPS. These materials do not separate easily from PET bottles during recycling, which can lead to contamination and lower the quality of recycled plastic. Reclaimers often lose valuable PET material, and bottles wrapped in these types of sleeves are more likely to be rejected or downcycled.

According to the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and the U.S. Plastics Pact, improving label design is critical to increasing the recyclability of PET packaging.

Inovar’s magnetizable coating offers a smarter, more sustainable path forward. Applied during the print process, this clear coating allows shrink sleeve labels to be cleanly removed during the recycling process using magnetic separation. This helps recover more PET, reduces contamination, and supports circular packaging goals. We’re currently the only label printer offering this magnetizable coating solution through digital printing. That means customers can take advantage of faster turnarounds, lower MOQs, and variable data — while still supporting APR-compliant recycling efforts.

This process results in over 98% sleeve removal efficiency, verified through commercial-scale recycling trials.

Inovar’s magnetic coating is easy to integrate into existing workflows. It works with high-speed production environments and a wide variety of label designs. Compatible with solvent gravure, flexo, UV flexo and digital print processes, the coating also preserves the clarity, color, and texture of your artwork. You don’t need to change how you print, sleeve, or bottle.

Inovar Packaging Group helps brands create packaging that looks great and performs well during recycling. Our magnetic coating for shrink sleeves is one of many ways we help customers meet both brand and environmental goals.

If you’re ready to explore a more sustainable shrink sleeve solution, contact Inovar Packaging Group. Our team is here to help your packaging stand out and support a cleaner recycling stream.