Preparing for PPWR. Innovation in a Changing Regulatory Landscape

30 Jul 2026

The countdown has begun. From 12 August 2026, food packaging placed on the EU market, including labels, must comply with new PFAS restrictions.

For converters producing direct thermal labels for food packaging, PFAS restrictions pose both a regulatory challenge and an opportunity to future-proof their product portfolios.

Direct thermal labels in focus

Direct thermal printing is a widely used technology for producing variable information on labels without the need for ink, toner, or thermal transfer ribbons. Instead, heat from the printhead activates a specially coated thermal paper to create the image. The process is commonly used for supermarket price and weigh-scale labels, fresh food and bakery labels, deli and meat packaging, logistics and shipping labels, warehouse inventory labels, pharmacy labels, and retail receipts. Its speed, simplicity, and reliability make it the preferred choice for high-volume applications where clear, on-demand printing is essential.

Although direct thermal labels are found throughout the food, retail and logistics sectors, the chemistry behind them is highly sophisticated, requiring carefully balanced performance to withstand the heat generated during thermal printing while maintaining excellent print quality and durability. As regulatory expectations evolve, maintaining this performance while meeting new compositional requirements becomes increasingly important.

Innovation beyond compliance

At Flint Group Packaging Solutions, we believe regulatory change should drive innovation, not just adaptation.

Building on more than 30 years’ experience with Thermokett water-based technology for direct thermal labels, we have developed Thermokett GT, the next generation of our thermal ink portfolio.

Designed to support the evolving regulatory landscape, Thermokett GT is formulated without intentionally added PFAS and is compliant with the compositional requirements of the German Ink Ordinance (GIO). At the same time, it delivers high levels of adhesion, heat resistance, and scratch resistance.

Thermokett GT offers:

  • Enhanced performance based on established Thermokett technology (better adhesion, better heat resistance, improved scratch resistance).
  • Improved printing and press performance.
  • Proven compatibility across a wide range of thermal printing applications.
  • Low impact on thermal printheads, helping minimise printhead wear.
  • Reliable performance on both uncoated and top-coated thermal papers, including excellent water resistance.
  • One-component, press-ready technology requiring no cross-linker addition.

Looking ahead

Regulatory requirements will continue to evolve, making proactive planning more important than ever. By evaluating compliant technologies early and validating them within existing production processes, converters can position themselves for a smooth transition while continuing to meet brand owners' and consumers' expectations.

At Flint Group Packaging Solutions, we're committed to supporting our customers throughout this journey with innovative technologies that combine regulatory readiness with proven performance.