Driving circularity in beverage packaging
The beverage industry faces growing pressure from regulators and consumers to adopt packaging solutions that are not only functional but also fully recyclable. One of the biggest obstacles has been the use of PET-G shrink sleeve labels, which compromise bottle recyclability and limit circular economy initiatives.

Oben Group partnered with a leading Latin American energy drink brand to replace traditional PET-G labels with a PET Shrink film resistant to temperature that makes it 100% compatible with PET recycling streams — a breakthrough that allows the label and the bottle to be recycled together.

The challenge: removing barriers to recycling
For years, shrink sleeves were an effective branding tool but a recycling bottleneck. PET-G labels often had to be separated from PET bottles, resulting in large amounts of material being discarded. Our customer — a multinational brand owner specialized in carbonated and energy drinks — set a clear objective:

• Replace all PET-G labels across its beverage portfolio.
• Guarantee compatibility with PET recycling systems in Latin America and beyond.
• Ensure label performance during application, distribution, and shelf life remained unchanged.

The solution: PET Shrink resistant to temperature
Oben Labels® introduced its PET Shrink film for shrink sleeve labels. This innovative film is engineered with high thermal resistance, making it 100% compatible with PET recycling processes.

Key benefits include:

• Recyclability with PET bottles — eliminating the need for label separation.
• High performance in shrinkability, printability, and durability.
• Scalability across multiple beverage formats and markets.

Results: measurable sustainability gains
By transitioning from PET-G to Oben Group’s PET Shrink film, the brand achieved:

• More than 800 tons of material reprocessed annually that would otherwise be discarded.
• Compliance with international recycling guidelines and alignment with circular economy commitments.
• Improved sustainability positioning, creating a competitive edge in the local beverage industry.
• A roadmap to extend recyclable shrink sleeves across all its beverage categories.

Why it matters
This case illustrates how innovation in film technology can unlock real sustainability gains for brand owners. By enabling full recyclability of PET bottles with their shrink sleeves, Oben Group — through Oben Labels® — supports both the brand’s sustainability strategy and the broader industry transition toward circular packaging.