A new embossed, label-free water bottle made of Luminy PLA from TotalEnergies Corbion is developed for Sansu (i’m eco) in the South Korean market, replacing conventional labels and eliminating one of the main obstacles to efficient bottle recycling.

The bottle has undergone early recycling trials in 2021 and is commercially launched now.

The embossed, label-free water bottle.

More efficient recycling

Removing labels from bottles is emerging as a practical way to improve recycling efficiency. By integrating brand identification directly into the bottle wall, the design allows bottles to enter recycling streams without additional processing, supporting cleaner material flows and higher-quality recycled output.

The embossed approach preserves shelf recognition and visual appeal, while avoiding the need for manual label removal. This supports both operational efficiency and material purity in recycling processes.

Supporting closed loop recycling

Luminy PLA is a bio-based plastic designed for recycling and composting. Recent independently verified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results further support the environmental performance of this approach.

According to the latest Luminy PLA LCA, virgin PLA achieves a significantly lower carbon footprint compared with conventional plastics, while incorporating recycled PLA enables carbon-neutral and carbon-negative material options, depending on recycled content.

“As markets increasingly focus on recyclability, carbon performance, and consumer acceptance, this project demonstrates the potential of PLA-based solutions to meet functional requirements while supporting broader circular economy objectives—without compromising brand recognition or industrial performance,” Hao Ding, Global Marketing Director at TotalEnergies Corbion.