The Sustainable Advantages of Linerless Labels
Packaging plays a vital role in today’s fast-paced business landscape, ensuring product protection, preservation, and presentation. As the packaging industry continues to grow and adapt to changing market demands, it’s crucial for companies to stay ahead and offer exceptional packaging solutions. To provide insights into this dynamic landscape, we have developed Packaging Talks – a series of conversational panels with Crawford’s packaging experts. Whether you’re a business owner, a packaging professional, or simply curious, our panels aim to offer valuable information and inspiration.
In this installment of our Packaging Talks, we chat with Christopher Yardley, Crawford’s Packaging Specialist, about the benefits, and sustainability advantages of linerless labels.
To start with the basics, could you explain what linerless labels are?
Yes, of course. Linerless labels are a type of self-adhesive label that, unlike traditional labels, come without a backing liner. Standard labels typically have a release liner – usually made of paper or plastic – that must be peeled away before the label is applied. Linerless labels, on the other hand, are wound on a roll without this backing and are applied using thin strips of adhesive. It’s a solution ideal for a wide range of applications, including food packaging, retail labelling, and logistics, thanks to its versatility and sustainability benefits.
Can you elaborate on the sustainability benefits? Why are linerless labels considered a sustainable choice?
First, it’s because they don’t have a liner. The traditional liner is a source of waste, and eliminating it is especially beneficial in high-volume operations. By using linerless labels, you’re not only cutting out waste but also reducing the CO₂ emissions associated with manufacturing the backing liner for traditional self-adhesive labels. We have access to a CO₂ calculator that helps track this impact for companies, and we learned that one of our customers reduced their CO₂ emissions by 1,281 kg by switching to linerless labels. For brands with ambitious sustainability goals, this is an ideal solution. Additionally, linerless labels are fully recyclable. When combined with the right tray or packaging, they help create a truly sustainable package for your product. What’s more, with flexographic printing methods, these labels use UV-curable inks, which are environmentally friendlier and compliant with food safety standards.
This all sounds very interesting. And how are linerless labels applied to trays or other packaging formats?
It’s very simple. Nobac applicators, offered by Crawford Packaging, play a key role here. These compact machines are extremely flexible and versatile, allowing for easy adjustments to different tray formats and sizes without the need for constant recalibration. They can support up to nine different sizes and styles of labels. This enables operators to seamlessly switch between product types and sizes, resulting in a significant efficiency gain. Combined with the speed and reliability of these machines, this is truly a unique solution.
Yes, indeed. And what are some of the most common applications?
Great question. The range is broad, covering both food and non-food items. In food packaging, for example, linerless labels are ideal for trays containing fresh produce, meats, or ready-to-eat meals due to their versatility in adapting to different tray formats and sizes. Non-food applications, such as retail products, clothing accessories, personal care and household products, are also a great fit, as linerless labels can be customized in size and shape to accommodate various container types.
And let’s not forget about the bundling capability. With linerless labels, you can bundle items together and eliminate the need for plastic overwrap. This not only reinforces your sustainability message but also increases your throughput by at least 20%. It’s an excellent solution and one that’s worth a closer look.
