Linerless labels with strong adhesion

Packaging Solutions

Herma is expanding the possibilities for reducing waste and disposal costs in silicone coated linerless labels.

With the Linerless Plus label material (400), the company is using the multi-layer pressure sensitive adhesive 62Dps. The multi-layer structure enables excellent adhesion and optimised further processing. In the past, compromises often had to be made regarding these crucial properties, which came at the expense of process reliability.

‘Conventional linerless materials often feature adhesive free zones to prevent both the dreaded ‘adhesive bleed’ and rapid adhesive build up on machines during roll converting and label cutting,’ explained Markus Mateescu, head of silicone development at Herma.

The result: where high adhesive strength was required, linerless solutions were previously only a limited option. The two layer adhesive structure of the 62Dps pressure sensitive adhesive, prevents this so-called ‘bleeding’. ‘Because the adhesive can be applied over the entire surface without any adhesive free zones, labels made with this adhesive adhere particularly well. This property is important in challenging applications, for example logistics and dispatch processes where rough cardboard surfaces, friction or mechanical stresses occur,’ explained Markus. Another key factor is that the 62Dps offers very high initial and final adhesion. At the same time, the pressure sensitive adhesive delivers reliable performance even at low temperatures.

The combination of Herma Linerless Plus and 62Dps pressure sensitive adhesive not only improves adhesion properties and thus process reliability. The absence of adhesive free zones also offers greater flexibility in the design and layout of the rolls. There is no longer any need for time consuming pre-definition of adhesive free areas. Furthermore, the multi-layer pressure sensitive adhesive allows for longer cleaning intervals for linerless printers, as cutting mechanisms become less contaminated.

‘Following the successful launch of Herma InNo-Liner, in which the pressure sensitive adhesive is only activated immediately before labelling and therefore no siliconisation of the label surface is required, Herma is now closing another gap in the market with Linerless Plus (400),’ emphasised Markus. ‘The new material was developed specifically as a solution for applications where conventional linerless designs using hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives do not deliver satisfactory results.’

Labels made from Linerless Plus (400) can be used in all standard linerless label printers on the market. This means the switch can be made easily at any time without the need for further investment.

As the 62Dps pressure sensitive adhesive has been used successfully on the market for many years, its properties are well known and thoroughly documented. Users therefore benefit from a proven solution without having to carry out extensive adhesion tests all over again. The pressure sensitive adhesive also offers good resistance to ageing, heat and light, thereby meeting the high demands of everyday use.

Thanks to the market proven 62Dps, linerless labels have an even bigger advantage in today’s market. On the one hand, this relates to greater cost effectiveness compared with conventional labels, as there are no disposal costs for siliconised backing material – all the more important in high volume turnover areas like logistics. ‘Linerless labels also play an important role in effectively helping to conserve resources and prevent waste. Both are key objectives of the EU’s new Packaging Regulation, or PPWR for short,’ emphasised Markus. ‘Against this backdrop, Herma Linerless Plus, in combination with the 62Dps pressure sensitive adhesive, opens up new and more sustainable applications for linerless labels.’

Herma Linerless Plus (400) is coated on a 1000 mm web width, and available with a minimum order quantity of 2000 square metres.