University of Georgia patents a home-compostable adhesive for food packaging labels

What Happened

UGA researchers developed and patented a pressure-sensitive adhesive made from biodegradable polyester that matches the tack and peel strength of petroleum-based adhesives used on food labels and packaging — but fully breaks down in a home compost bin.

Why It Matters

Labels and adhesives are the part of 'recyclable' packaging that gets overlooked most often — a home-compostable adhesive matching petroleum-based tack strength closes a gap that otherwise undermines an entire package's sustainability claim.

Compostable only matters if it sticks as well as what it's replacing.

FET's Takeaway

Matching tack and peel strength, not just biodegrading, is the detail that determines whether converters actually adopt this — an adhesive that's compostable but falls off the label mid-shelf-life isn't a usable substitute.