Deinkability Score Impact on EPR Eco Modulation Fees in Recycled Stock
Deinkability scores under INGEDE Method 11 directly determine EPR eco-modulation fee surcharges or discounts on printed recycled paperboard packaging.
ERPC Scorecard
Compliance Metric
Industrial performance evaluations measure the recyclability and deinkability of printed paper and board products across the European market. Papermakers reference the ERPC scorecard to verify that their graphic papers can be successfully processed in standard recycling mills. This framework evaluates paper products based on five key parameters, including deinkability, recyclability of adhesives, and fiber yield.
Deinking Audit
Laboratory deinking trials simulate industrial pulp washing to determine if printed inks can be separated from recovered fibers. The ERPC scorecard assigns points based on how much ink is removed during a standardized flotation process, ensuring that recycled pulp retains a high level of brightness. If an ink cannot be separated from the fibers, it receives a low score.
Rating Scheme
Threshold values categorize paper products into distinct classes of environmental compatibility to guide purchasing decisions for publishers and converters. Scoring high on the ERPC scorecard allows a paper grade to be certified as fully recyclable, which opens up access to premium publication markets that demand verified sustainable materials. Manufacturers whose products fail to meet these thresholds must reformulate their inks or surface coatings to avoid losing market share to compliant competitors who print with water-based or non-mineral alternatives.