With Linerless Plus (400), Herma, a leading European specialist in packaging and product labelling, is filling a gap in the market: a self-adhesive material for linerless labels that combines excellent adhesion with optimum processing properties. The multi-layer 62Dps pressure-sensitive adhesive plays a crucial role, avoiding typical compromises associated with linerless labels and opening up new applications.
Following the launch of the silicone-free InNo-Liner, Herma is now demonstrating its innovative strength with traditional, silicone-coated linerless labels.
Even with traditional, silicone-coated linerless labels, Herma is expanding the possibilities for reducing waste and disposal costs. With the Linerless Plus label material (400), Herma is for the first time in this product range using the multi-layer pressure-sensitive adhesive 62Dps. The multi-layer structure enables excellent adhesion and optimized 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,” explains 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.”
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.
Specially developed as a problem-solver
“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),” emphasizes Markus Mateescu.
“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 Herma 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.
Proven pressure-sensitive adhesive, new application possibilities
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,” emphasizes Mateescu. “Against this backdrop, Herma Linerless Plus, in combination with the 62Dps pressure-sensitive adhesive, opens up new and more sustainable applications for linerless labels.”
The Herma Linerless Plus (400) is coated on a 1.000mm web width, and available with a minimum order quantity of 2,000 square meters.
