Taurus Packaging launches 100% recyclable shrink sleeve

Taurus Packaging has introduced Trucycl, which it claims to be India’s first 100% recyclable shrink sleeve. The development aims to address challenges related to the recyclability, accessibility, and cost of conventional shrink sleeve substrates.

According to Chetan Jain, managing director and chief executive officer of Taurus Packaging, the current market for recyclable shrink sleeves faces several challenges, including low post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, partial recyclability, poor print performance, toxicity, limited accessibility, and high production costs. These factors, he said, have made it difficult for brands and converters to meet their sustainability targets effectively.

Jain explained that many materials marketed as recyclable only facilitate recyclability rather than being completely recyclable themselves. In several cases, such substrates require additional chemical treatments to separate labels from bottles, making the process costlier and less efficient. “We observed that the available materials did not fully meet expectations in terms of recyclability or print quality. This gap encouraged us to develop a better alternative,” he said.

Trucycl has been developed to overcome these issues. The shrink sleeve incorporates up to 30% PCR content and can be recycled along with the bottle or container, without the need for label removal at recycling facilities. Its ink layer is designed to be easily washed off during processing, ensuring a cleaner recycling stream and minimising contamination.

Taurus Packaging claims that Trucycl is non-toxic, lightweight, and compatible with existing printing and application systems. The company added that the substrate provides strong print quality and easy handling during conversion and application.

By incorporating PCR material and enabling complete recyclability, Trucycl supports compliance with Indian government directives and global sustainability standards related to plastic waste reduction and circular economy goals.

Jain, who has more than 18 years of experience in the packaging industry and has authored several technical books on shrink sleeves, said the development of Trucycl represents a continuation of Taurus Packaging’s focus on practical sustainability. “The goal was to create a recyclable shrink sleeve that delivers both performance and compliance, without compromising print quality or operational ease,” he said.