One method for analysing of adhesive, polymeric impurities in fibrous materials from recovered paper is the determination of macrostickies according to INGEDE Method 4 on a laboratory scale. Macrostickies are particles (> 100 µm) that can be caused by tacky components and constituents in recovered paper and can be determined by analysing the residues of a laboratory sort. For this purpose, a pulp suspension is treated in a sorting process, usually a sorting via a Haindl or Somerville sorter with a slotted plate (slot width 100 µm), and the residues are prepared in such a way that an image-analytical measurement can be applied.

The measurement and evaluation of the macrosticky content is performed according to ISO 15360 and includes the following parameters:

• Number [n/kg] and area [mm²/kg]
• Size class distribution of the macrostickies
• Theoretical industrial screening by means of specific separation rates

The macrosticky content can be assessed according to different assessment schemes, e.g. for fibre-based packaging according to Aticelca MC 501:2017.