How Low Emission Adhesives Can Support the Paper Packaging Industry’s Compliance with the New EPR Legislation in North East States Starting in 2028 and 2030

luisperalta7
3 days ago
4 min read

As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations tighten across the United States, the paper packaging industry faces a decisive moment. Beginning in 2028 and 2030, states such as Maine, Oregon, Colorado, and California with several North-Eastern states soon to follow, will require packaging manufacturers and brand owners to take greater responsibility for the environmental impact of their products. This includes reducing carbon emissions, using recyclable and renewable materials, and documenting the sustainability performance of every packaging component, adhesives included.

In this changing regulatory landscape, low-emission adhesive technologies are emerging as crucial enablers of compliance and competitive advantage. Adhesive manufacturers are re-engineering formulations to lower carbon footprints while maintaining performance, helping converters and brand owners meet EPR requirements efficiently.

Understanding the New EPR Legislation in the North-East

EPR legislation transfers the cost of waste management and recycling from municipalities to product producers. For packaging companies, this means every layer like paper, film, ink, and adhesive must be evaluated for environmental impact.

Starting in 2028, several North-Eastern states are expected to implement producer responsibility programs requiring:

Lifecycle assessments (LCAs) that measure emissions from raw materials through end-of-life.
Incentives for recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging designs.
Reporting obligations on the use of non-renewable or high-emission materials.

Because adhesives play a key role in binding, labeling, and sealing paper-based packaging, they are directly tied to both carbon-footprint calculations and material recyclability. Traditional petroleum-based adhesives can hinder paper recycling and elevate a product’s emission profile, making low-emission alternatives not just preferable but necessary.

The Shift Toward Low Emission Adhesives

Modern sustainability efforts have prompted innovation in low-emission hot melt adhesives, exemplified by recent developments like Henkel’s TECHNOMELT® SUPRA Low Emission (LE) line. While these were originally designed for consumer goods, their relevance to the paper packaging sector is significant.

These new adhesive systems demonstrate:

25% lower carbon emissions at the product level, as measured in cradle-to-gate LCAs.
Price neutrality with standard formulations, removing one of the biggest barriers to sustainable adoption.
Identical performance characteristics, including viscosity, softening point, open time, and adhesion strength, ensuring production lines don’t need major retooling.

For converters and packaging producers in the Northeast preparing for EPR deadlines, these advantages translate directly into compliance benefits. Lower carbon emissions per pound of adhesive used mean an improved overall sustainability profile for finished packaging without compromising production efficiency.

Why Adhesives Matter in EPR Compliance

Under forthcoming EPR frameworks, manufacturers will be evaluated not only on recyclability but also on the embedded carbon intensity of packaging. Adhesives are small by weight but significant in environmental impact due to their petroleum-derived components.

Low-emission adhesives use biobased tackifiers and plastomers, such as Kraton’s REvolution™ biobased tackifiers and Dow’s AFFINITY® GA plastomer. These materials reduce dependence on fossil resources and integrate renewable carbon into adhesive formulations.

When these adhesives are applied to paperboard packaging, folding cartons, or corrugated cases, they enable:

Easier separation during recycling processes, preventing contamination of paper fibers.
Reduced VOC emissions in production environments, improving worker safety and plant air quality.
Lower lifecycle carbon values that help brand owners achieve EPR-compliant thresholds.

This holistic benefit spanning environmental, operational, and economic dimensions positions low-emission adhesives as a foundational tool in EPR readiness.

Performance Without Compromise

Sustainability often raises questions about performance trade-offs. However, tests on low-emission hot melts like TECHNOMELT® SUPRA 106M LE and SUPRA 100 LE have proven equivalency with legacy adhesives across key metrics.

These formulations exhibit:

Stable viscosity at 350°F, maintaining strong application consistency.
Fast set speeds and high hot tack, ensuring reliable sealing in high-speed packaging lines.
Thermal stability comparable to conventional adhesives, with no loss in heat-stress resistance or adhesion at varying temperatures.

This ensures that converters can transition toward sustainability without production disruption, an essential factor for maintaining throughput and cost efficiency ahead of new compliance deadlines.

Economic Accessibility: Making Sustainability Attainable

A major barrier to sustainable materials adoption has historically been cost. Many converters hesitate to switch due to higher prices or uncertain supply chains. However, the new generation of low-emission adhesives has been designed to eliminate that concern.

By offering price parity with conventional adhesives, suppliers make sustainability not just an ethical choice but a financially practical one. This aligns perfectly with the intent of EPR programs, which encourage widespread industry transformation through scalable, affordable solutions.

For small and medium-sized converters particularly those serving regional food, beverage, and e-commerce brands in the North-East, this accessibility ensures they can remain competitive while meeting evolving environmental standards.

The Road Ahead: Readiness for 2028 and 2030

With EPR frameworks already finalized in states like Maine and Oregon, and draft programs under review in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, proactive planning is critical. Paper packaging producers should begin:

Conducting LCAs to quantify current adhesive and substrate emissions.
Transitioning to low-emission adhesive systems that can support long-term sustainability goals.
Partnering with adhesive suppliers who can provide documentation, emission data, and technical support for compliance reporting.

By adopting low-emission technologies today, manufacturers can avoid costly retrofits and ensure their packaging lines are future-proof by the time EPR requirements become enforceable.

Final Thoughts

The future of sustainable packaging in the North-East hinges on innovation that balances performance with responsibility. Low-emission adhesives represent a small yet transformative step, one that can help packaging manufacturers reduce emissions, simplify recycling, and comply confidently with upcoming EPR legislation.

For forward-thinking businesses, embracing these solutions now isn’t just about staying compliant, it’s about leading the way toward a more circular, low-carbon packaging economy.

Ready to Transition Toward Sustainable Adhesive Solutions?

At Lanco Adhesives, we’re committed to helping the paper packaging industry achieve compliance and sustainability goals through advanced, low-emission adhesive technologies. Our team can guide you in selecting the ideal formulation for your application balancing cost, performance, and environmental responsibility.

Contact us today to learn how Lanco can support your transition toward a cleaner, EPR-ready future.