Evonik Wins German Packaging Award 2026 

Evonik is the winner of the 2026 German Packaging Award in the “Sustainability” category for TEGO Res 1100. 

This innovative co-binder for solvent-based printing inks improves deinking—that is, the removal of printing inks—during the recycling of printed flexible packaging. TEGO Res 1100 was developed by the Coating Additives business line and is marketed worldwide.

The addition of TEGO Res 1100 creates ink formulations that enable the rapid and complete removal of inks during the recycling process. This helps converters, brand owners, and recycling companies meet increasing sustainability and recycling requirements, such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

“The effective removal of printing inks from used packaging is an important step toward a circular economy,” said Hendrik Rasch, who is responsible for the Next Markets program for Circular Packaging and Plastics Recycling at Evonik. “The project demonstrates how close collaboration along the value chain accelerates the development and adoption of circular packaging solutions.”

“When we talk about recycling, a lot of the discussion focuses on collection and sorting. But material quality matters just as much. Better removal of printing inks can help produce cleaner recyclates and create more options for future applications,” stated Stefan Büttner, Vice President Head of CC Polymer Films and Functional Papers, R&D CC Polymer Films at Constantia Flexibles. “Food-contact applications are not there yet and remain subject to separate regulatory and technical requirements. Still, every step that improves material quality matters. We are proud that our joint work with Evonik on this challenge has been recognized with the German Packaging Award.”

“This award highlights the importance of co-binders for packaging printing inks, which are already enabling a true circular economy today,” said Dr. Christian Schirrmacher, Head of New Technologies for Printing Inks at the Coating Additives Business Line.

For the award-winning entry, a packaging sample provided by Constantia Flexibles was submitted, featuring printing inks formulated with TEGO Res 1100.

The German Packaging Award, presented by the German Packaging Institute (dvi), is one of the industry’s leading innovation competitions. TEGO Res 1100 was recognized for its contribution to more recyclable packaging solutions and the further development of circular packaging concepts.