As converters experiment with various materials to wow consumers on the shelf, substrate providers have upped the ante in terms of options. Avery Dennison, a substrates and adhesives supplier based in Mentor, OH, USA, has stocked its film portfolios with new products designed to meet the demand of the labels and packaging market.

“Avery Dennison offers a very deep breadth of films,” explains Angel Harvey, product manager, prime films at Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials. “We have extensive service offerings, and those benefits are centrally located to our customers.”

Avery Dennison offers multiple product lines designed to satisfy converters’ needs for films. Recently, the company launched Global Co-Ex, which has emerged as one of its most popular films. The 2.5 mil product is complemented by a metalized version.

Biaxially Oriented PolyPropylene (BOPP) films at Avery Dennison range from white to clear to metalized. The MDO film line offers semi- and full-squeeze products, both in white and clear. According to Harvey, metalized films encompass a popular trend right now.

The high performance Primax and FasClear lines have enjoyed continued success, as well. “From our full-squeeze, full conformable portfolio, those products have really been taking off and we’re seeing very broad acceptance,” says Harvey. “I would say the value proposition, along with the clarity, gloss, the high conformability, is really resonating throughout the value chain.”

To enhance the growing digital printing market, Avery Dennison has developed a comprehensive UV inkjet portfolio. To handle growth, the company has added more than 30 products to the portfolio, with more innovations set to launch this year. 

“The digital segment is so dynamic,” says Harvey. “From a developmental perspective, we are focused on understanding the niche and what materials need to perform appropriately. With our Concept Lab, we have the ability to work with our customers for fast prototyping, but that’s not only in the digital space–that’s in our whole product offering.”

In addition, allowing the consumer to physically see the product is an important part of clear film materials. “Clean looks are a big trend that we’re seeing,” says Harvey. “Having a truly clear film that complements the package type so that consumers can see what’s inside the package and really getting back to that natural feel or natural ingredients is huge right now. Honestly, I think that’s going to continue as a trend as we look through the next couple years.

Sustainability still key

According to Avery Dennison, customers are increasingly inquiring about sustainably-sourced filmic materials. Converters are looking to down gauge in caliper and explore thin-on-thin applications–from both the filmic label and the packaging itself.

Thinner films are not only easier on the environment, they are more profitable for the label company. “That’s great not only from a sustainability perspective, but you’re getting more labels per roll, and you’re having longer runs and less web breaks,” explains Harvey. “That proliferation to PVC liners is going to keep coming.”

Avery Dennison has announced numerous sustainability initiatives, mainly to reduce the company’s environmental footprint by 2025. “Avery Dennison has been paving the path in the last few years in really educating and talking with our value-chain members,” says Harvey. “We have corporate initiatives and a 2025 mission that we’ve really been marching toward.”

In addition, Avery Dennison has launched its Clear Intent portfolio, which provides a plethora of green options for converters. With the concept of ‘Responsibly source, reduce, and recycle,” customers can choose from hundreds of facestocks, adhesives and other materials that are environmentally friendly.

A film facestock made from sugarcane exemplifies this portfolio’s goal. The company’s bio-based PE film is largely comprised of sugarcane-based ethylene, which is a renewable resource. The resin is also certified by the nonprofit organization Bonsucro as meeting stringent standards for its impact on people and the environment.

“Sustainability plays a very large in our developmental efforts, so we continue to look at responsible sourcing, and we appreciate and understand the need for recycling,” adds Harvey. “We also have a life cycle assessment (LCA) tool that we use to quantify the impact of our products in the value chain. We’re starting to see a tipping point, where not only do we service value chains that request sustainability, but we’re starting to see a little different push and pull from brands and converters. Consumers are really demanding sustainability.”

Although Avery Dennison’s CleanFlake portfolio is not new, the company still considers these products vital for the recycling stream. Harvey says that Avery Dennison will be expanding this portfolio in 2018, as well.