Strategic changes in paper labelling

Environmental issues are a must, but who wants to pay more?
As with all industries there are leaders and followers. Innovation is a key characteristic of leading printers and such originality often carries rewards as end-users select their preferred suppliers. Technological leaps and innovations are commonplace in younger industries or niche areas, but what about big volume self-adhesive paper labels?

According to UPM Raflatac, its thin polypropylene backing material ProLiner PP30 has become a real game changer in paper labelling. It offers a new alternative to traditional glassine liners and provides the sought-after combination of quality benefits, lower total applied cost and recyclability.

ProLiner PP30 is considered much cleaner on press than any paper liner because it contains no fibres or fibre dust. Combined with a smoother adhesive layer it also simplifies precise adhesive side printing and a denser print effect. Excellent print registration also means a visibly improved print quality compared to a Honey Glassine 65 (HG65) liner.

If despatched in the same reel diameter as HG65 coils, ProLiner PP30 rolls are around 20% longer – up to as much as 6 000m – which means fewer reel changes, improved productivity and cost savings. What’s more, says UPM Raflatac, the PP30’s even thickness makes for easy diecutting.

ProLiner PP30 is also approximately 20% lighter than HG65, so customers save a roughly corresponding percentage in packaging material weight, warehouse space and transportation costs, which means good news for the environment.
‘Packaging and printing machines are very expensive, so lost time is lost money. ProLiner PP30 is more robust than glassine, which means fewer web breaks and a reduction of downtime,’ emphasises Neil Fedorowycz, director of the prime business segment at UPM Raflatac Europe. ‘Furthermore, reduced risk of web breaks mean that the speed of dispensing can often be increased, offering even greater efficiency.

Depending on the packed product, label design, printing machine and labelling line, the financial benefits will vary. However, according to our experience, the total applied cost with ProLiner PP30 is always lower,’ confirms Neil.

Productivity Calculator shows the difference

To help customers get an accurate picture of the productivity gains they can achieve throughout the labelling chain with ProLiner PP30, UPM Raflatac has come up with an online Productivity Calculator for packers. This handy tool allows converters to enter details of the packing line process, and see the difference it makes to switch to ProLiner PP30.

‘It’s important for the converter to see the total cost of ProLiner PP30 and glassine through the entire process rather than simply looking at the square meter price – because price is not the total cost,’ states Neil.
ProLiner PP30 is also deemed a smart alternative when it comes to recyclability, Neil explains: ‘PP liner is easy and less energy-consuming to recycle than a PET liner. There are numerous PP recyclers across Europe and many end-use areas for products made of recycled PP.’
In South Africa, UPM Raflatac is liaising with local companies with regards to supplying recycling services and will be informing its customers on the alternatives in due course.

Next generation in high volume paper labelling
Although filmic liners have been available for several years, for premium applications such as beverage and personal care labelling, they haven’t, until now, been available for high volume paper labelling. This was mainly due to issues of price and economies of scale. A recent investment in new coating technology has now, however, allowed UPM Raflatac to develop its ProLinerPP30 for use with volume paper products. According to UPM Raflatac most printers and packers believe ProLiner PP30 has major benefits.
Jon Lenck, director of the VIP business segment at UPM Raflatac Europe, comments: ‘We’re already working on several customer projects and most of this work is with leading innovative printers. We feel the interest in ProLiner PP30 will increase significantly over the next year as more printers and packers become aware of the productivity benefits it can bring to their businesses.’

UPM Raflatac encourages its customers to see the total cost of ProLiner PP30 and glassine through the entire labelling process rather than just looking at the square meter price.
‘To summarise, ProLiner PP30 offers the combination of quality benefits, lower total applied cost and recyclability,’ concludes Jon.

UPM Raflatac South Africa
T +27 031 7101750
www.upmraflatac.com