In today’s competitive market there is an ever-growing demand for unique, attractive and eye-catching labels with heaps of shelf appeal. However, as consumers become more aware of the effects of packaging on the environment, sustainability is also something to consider. Michal Lodej reports.
A label substrate has many tasks to perform and one of those is simply keeping up with the whims of the market. A currently favoured market trend is a move towards clear labels that exhibit a no-label appearance. This can be achieved using pressure sensitive plastic labels, however, the limiting factor for most of these types of labels is the tendency to wash off in standard industrial bottle washers and are therefore, not an option for returnable bottles.
Futamura’s NatureFlex materials help to combat this particular problem. These pressure sensitive constructions maintain the clarity needed for a no-label look, but also offer a wash off label for returnable bottles when used in conjunction with the correct adhesive. NatureFlex films can also be used in traditional ‘cut and stack’ applications. The films are made from renewable and sustainably sourced wood pulp. They are biodegradable, industrial and home compostable according to EN 13432, and approved for marine biodegradation according to ASTM D6691-09.
These films have a number of added benefits for labels, in addition to their clarity for a no-label look, they are also resistant to oils and greases. They have high stiffness for conversion, high gloss, excellent printability using traditional printing processes and are made from renewable resources; making them ideal for package constructions where the entire package needs to be certified as compostable. The labels can be used in a broad range of markets including; fruit labelling, sandwich packs, beverage bottles, flow pack packaging, cosmetic labelling and many more.
Futamura’s range of NatureFlex films for labels include clear high gloss (NVL), metallised (NML) and two side coated white high gloss (NVLW) options.
Eco certification
Environmentally friendly labelling has been fully embraced by Elevate Packaging, provider of sustainable packaging and labels, and partner Bio4Life has recently received the compostable certification of the Pure Labels sugarcane adhesive label product line made with BioTAK adhesives.
Richard Cohen, CEO and president of Elevate Packaging, stated, ‘This certification is for our clients. It firmly establishes 100% confidence the Pure Labels product line is the first and the only certified compostable adhesive label available anywhere.’
The Pure Labels product line offers a wide range of sustainable and eco-friendly adhesive labels, including sugarcane, clear bioplastic, FSC-certified paper, direct thermal, and metallised silver adhesive labels.
Sugarcane fiber, also known as bagasse, is a discarded by product of sugar production. By using this fibre to make paper for compostable packaging and labels these eco-friendly packaging solutions carry an additional benefit of avoiding greenhouse gases, since the fibre is generally disposed of by burning and polluting the air with plumes of smoke-filled greenhouse gases.
The quality and strength of sugarcane paper is excellent for making high-quality adhesive labels. Sugarcane waste is superior to wood pulp due to its much denser cellulose fibres. The labels require less raw material, less water, less energy and less waste. Sugarcane is a renewable eco-friendly source as it reproduces in cycles of less than one year compared to trees which generally take 7 to 10 years.
Compostable adhesive labels are essential for compostable packaging, especially for adhesive labels placed on disposable compostable foodservice packaging, including compostable PLA take-out containers, produce labels, single-use bags and zipper stand-up pouches.
This certificate is compliant under both European and United States compost ability testing standards, respectively DIN Certco EN 13432 and ASTM D6400.
‘Our successful and exclusive partnership with Elevate Packaging is the cornerstone to our North American growth strategy in providing a responsive US-based compostable adhesive solutions centrally located in Chicago. The certified compostable sugarcane paper label positions Pure Labels as the leading source of innovative compostable adhesive labels in North America,’ said Arjan Klapwijk, president of Bio4Life.
Standing out of the crowd
Leading health and personal care brands are sold in many different formats and need to find ways to maintain the consistency and quality of their eye-catching designs across multiple formats. Innovia Film’s UltraFoil label films offer the options of cold-foiling, intricate fine tone and vignette printing and is available in film grades for a wide range of container formats, from full squeeze tubes to rigid bottles and removable label applications.
Consumers expect their favourite food brands to be packed so that they maintain their freshness and are also convenient to use. One way to achieve this is by using a pack format with a reclosable label to access the product. UltraFoil CXFA (clear) and WXFA (white) top-coated barrier films have been specifically designed for this application and combine excellent moisture and gas barrier to maintain freshness, with the label strength to
allow the pack to be opened and closed many times.
Richard Southward, global product manager, Labels, said, ‘UltraFoil films combine market leading branding capability whilst addressing the functional needs of the packaged product. These films have been designed to allow printers to wow brand owners with complex, eye-catching label designs whilst maintaining high printing press productivity. We are also proud to say that our UltraFoil top-coated label films are also food contact
compliant,’
The company’s solid white films are used for multiple page booklet and extended content labels. It offers films such as Rayoface WPA via label stock manufacturers and Rayoface AWPA for printers with in-house adhesive coating. On-press stability and print performance coupled with crease-free opening, excellent opacity and shelf appeal means these solutions bring benefits to both printers and end users.
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