5 minute read
Catchpoint Ltd
Mike Cooper, Business Development Director
Linerless perspectives.
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I doubt that when Stan Avery originated the pressure-sensitive label, he expected his invention to generate globally 60 billion square meters of laminate production. His invention surpassed the achievements of the heat seal label process to which I was committed - despite the related 60% process waste in liner and matrix, now an item on the industry’s sustainability agenda.
Alternative systems omitting the liner - linerless labeling - began in the UK in the 1980s with Waddingtons’ Monoweb, whereby the labels were pre-printed in the reel and then coated on one side with adhesive and on the other with a silicone release compound - ready for diecutting and machine application on the product’s filling line. It was a technical success then, but a commercial failure. The added application complexity, with responsibility for diecutting the labels and then disposing of sticky matrix waste, was a non-starter with brand managers.
But linerless labeling survived. UK-based Ravenwood Packaging offered enhanced food tray pack decoration with a linerless printed label web, cut to single 360° wrap labels, leaving no waste; and Japan’s Osaka Sealing Printing Co. delivered the same advantages using Catchpoint’s alternative solution of label separation by ‘unzipping’ pre-formed micro-perforations
in the label web. For rectangular VIP logistics labels, pioneers also developed linerless web cutting as part of direct thermal label print technology, which also usefully eliminated print ribbon waste. ETI Converting’s coating machines and major laminate producers followed this trend, and boosted availability and brand owner acceptance.
Increased simplicity and a quality result Here at Catchpoint, we pursued the Monoweb challenge of achieving increased simplicity to deliver a quality result. Indeed, while there are many nicely-shaped pressure-sensitive labels, the majority of high-volume labels today are simply rectangular, and often feature only variable information print. Many container types allow for the application of rectangular label shapes.
The solution to eliminating the need for cutting individual labels was to use micro-perforations imposed by the printer - not a new idea, but the challenge was to solve the enormous demands on the application equipment to separate hundreds of linerless pressure-sensitive labels per minute, and apply them at better than +/- 1mm accuracy. Solutions were, however, both generated and patented! Proven technology Linerless label application is indeed proven technology. Today it represents several million square meters of usage globally, continues to grow, and now makes a truly sustainable contribution to the global packaging industry - something it was able to do back in 2013, when in 2013 Rako Group - now All4Labels - won a WorldStar Packaging Award for a sustainable Linerless Catchpoint label, but sadly found no customers. But the climate’s changed, and the need to reduce and reuse in a new circular economy has created opportunity.
The desired result With wash-off adhesives to enable brands to recycle their containers, the pressure-sensitive label industry contributes another essential advantage, and the linerless pressure-sensitive label offers the lowest total applied cost for product decoration on recyclable containers. Doubling the number of labels in the reel, reducing distribution costs and stock space, and eliminating used liner management improves brand efficiency, delivers a return on new applicator investment, and secures a more sustainable future for all.
A thought from some of our special team.
“ Congratulations on your 50th anniversary ! I am glad to be a part of it. Cheers to another 50 years! “
“ Congratulations on this 50th anniversary and wishing AWA many more years of unparelled success in a rapidly changing environment while staying true to its core values! “
Erika Groenink, Vice President of Finance and Administration
“ Congratulations on 50 years of successfully navigating AWA through a changing business environment while staying true to the company’s core values of integrity and respect. “
Ingrid Leering, Publishing and Subscription Supervisor
“ Happy golden anniversary! Congrats on the many achievements in the past half of a century and I wish many more years of success for AWA! “
Qiwen Shen, Market Research Consultant
“ Through AWA’s continued professionalism, strife for excellence, and the trust of the industry today we are celebrating 50 years of business; something not many companies can boast about. Congratulations to AWA and all my wonderful colleagues, and here’s to 50 more! “
Catalina Steenbakkers, Market Research Consultant
“ It’s not a just an anniversary, it’s an anniversary of a family that only grew strong defying the odds. Happy anniversary! “
Anum Javed Beg, Market Research Manager
Sarah Rigby, Market Research Consultant
“ Being the go-to experts in the industry for 50 years is a remarkable achievement for AWA! Congratulations Corey for the inspiring leadership, and I wish to AWA success for many more years to come. “
Francesco Ticca, Manager AWA Conferences & Events
“ It’s 50 years of integrity, excellence, and collaboration, by which AWA has become an integral part of the industry and part of a force driving it. Congratulations AWA! “
Patryk Sliwa, Marketing & Communication Associate
“ Congratulations on our 50th ANNIVERSARY and continuing to work by these values: Integrity, Excellence and Collaboration. Looking forward to the success of many more AWA Conferences in the future! “
“ Congratulations to the amazing team at AWA, it is great to see how the team has grown and the potential for the next 50 years! “
Charles Reardon, Associate
- a final remark from Corey Reardon
“I personally would like to thank everyone who contributed to this AWA Insights Magazine, including those who provided quotes, advertisements, and contributed to the editorial content.
Thank you to all the companies and organizations that advertised, providing their congratulations and support in the production of this publication. And thank you to all the contributors - all thought leaders and key industry authorities - for not only their words of congratulations and compliments, but their insights and views on the paper, �ilm, coating and converting sector, and its many facets.
The future is bright for the sector, and this is an industry that is resilient, with a rich diverse history of innovation and growth, that will propel us into a sustainable future with purpose. I am honored that AWA has been part of the industry’s success, and I look forward to many more years of supporting the industry and our customers and partners.
On a �inal note, I would like to thank the team who helped to write, design, co-ordinate and publish this AWA Insights Magazine. Ann Hirst-Smith, Editor/Writer; Stefano Giussani, Designer; and Patryk Sliwa, Coordinator.
And, of course, the entire AWA Team for their support and contributions.”
