Tipa and Bio4Pack present compostable labels for fresh produce

Tipa Compostable Packaging and Bio4Pack have introduced a label for fresh produce certified as home compostable. The pressure-sensitive adhesive allows for firm attachment on produce with varying surface smoothness and roughness levels.

The label uses Bio4Life’s adhesive technology, BioTak, which is said to be the world’s first adhesive that is fully certified to European compost standards and leaves no residue.

“Labels on fresh produce have traditionally been made from conventional plastic that cannot be recycled and are often discarded in food waste bins, contaminating organic streams and contributing to microplastic pollution,” says Daphna Nissenbaum, co-founder and CEO at Tipa.

“Policies requiring compostable labels are emerging around the world, and Tipa is leading the way with a solution that will break down with the organic matter it’s attached to without compromising on performance. We offer these produce labels as part of our growing portfolio of solutions that perform like conventional plastics but meet today’s compostability standards.”

The company highlights that the stickers align with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste regulation, which makes compostable labels on fruits and vegetables mandatory.

Broad range of applications

The label is described as elastic, ensuring application across various fruit and vegetable skins, including oranges, grapefruits, lemons, bananas, avocados, eggplants, zucchinis, cucumbers, beets, watermelons, apples, pears, and mangoes.

Tipa’s new solution is compatible with conventional label printing presses and can be used with machine and hand application techniques. 

The stickers can also be used as packaging labels for ingredients, branding, and barcodes, and as closures for food and fashion packaging.

Tipa says that this new type of label is moisture resistant, maintaining durability and flexibility in a range of storage conditions, including room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing. 

The sticker can prevent the black marks and discoloration that occur on produce after using conventional labels, “maintaining a clean, consumer-friendly appearance.”

Tipa presented its home-compostable packaging solutions, including a bag zipper, fruit and vegetable sticker, and high-barrier metalized film, at Packaging Innovations 2025 in the UK.