Avery Dennison explores growing market for linerless labels

With an emphasis on operational efficiency and sustainable improvements in labels and packaging, linerless labels are making significant inroads. This technology eliminates the traditional release liner/backing sheet, which offers key advantages across the value chain.

According to Yara Ghoussoub, business development manager, Avery Dennison, linerless labels contribute to significant waste reduction by eliminating liners, which account for up to 50% of traditional label materials, and matrix scrap. From an operational standpoint, rolls contain up to 50% more labels per roll, resulting in fewer changeovers and less downtime.

“Other key benefits include enhanced workplace safety by eliminating slick liner waste on warehouse floors, removing a key slip-and-fall hazard,” explains Ghoussoub. Additionally, there are improved carbon footprint and logistics efficiencies due to reduced material weight and storage requirements. Linerless also provides flexibility through variable-length printing. This allows a single label format to fulfill dynamic packaging needs while reducing errors for QSR orders.”

Growing adoption

Linerless labeling continues to see increased adoption in a wide range of verticals. That adoption is being actively driven by industries such as quick-service restaurants (QSR), grocery (deli, bakery, weigh scales), e-commerce shipping and logistics (parcel labeling, inventory tracking), and retail/warehousing.

“QSR and weigh scale applications have been the first to adopt,” states Ghoussoub. “The benefits include efficiencies that have led to improved order tracking and identification, ensuring the right customization is applied to each order, and improving order visibility to the customer. In addition, software/hardware integration has improved automation and the reliability of the labeling process by reducing errors. By leveraging these benefits, QSRs can enhance the ability to process and fulfill personalized requests accurately and efficiently.”

In particular, weigh scale has benefited because linerless offers increased flexibility with one media that fits all applications with variable length labels. This benefit allows for on-demand printing of customized product information, pricing details, promotional messages, and branding elements on the labels. Plus, logistics has seen streamlined operations and uptime. Continuous label supply and less roll changeovers are decreasing downtime and allowing operations to maintain uninterrupted processes, as well.

“In recent years, technology has evolved through improved adhesive formulations, enhanced Direct Thermal (DT) printing reliability, improved compatibility between linerless media and printing and dispensing equipment, and integration with high-speed automated print-and-apply systems,” adds Ghoussoub.

New solutions

Avery Dennison has promoted growth in linerless with several dedicated portfolios. The company has also collaborated closely with leading printer OEMs, such as Epson, Zebra, SATO, Bixolon, and Brother, to optimize label application. Avery Dennison has prioritized educating converters and end users on long-term efficiency gains, waste reduction, and compliance, as well.

Avery Dennison’s newest products include AT-20, which is a general-purpose, all-temperature emulsion acrylic permanent adhesive. The product offers reliable bonding across substrate types and temperatures. Meanwhile, the R2035 removable emulsion acrylic adhesive ensures clean release, repositionability, and versatility.

Avery Dennison’s S2030 high-tack adhesive has been optimized for applications that require strong adhesion to various substrates. Finally, Direct-Therm 200HD LL is a sustainable facestock that is FSC-certified. The product has no added phenols while offering strong print performance.

Of course, Avery Dennison’s Direct Thermal (DT) Linerless portfolio has been key for the company’s growth. “Feedback for the Direct Thermal (DT) Linerless portfolio has been very positive,” comments Ghoussoub. “Customers particularly highlight the 32% thinner construction and 50% increase in labels per roll, which significantly reduces roll changeovers, shipping weight, and storage needs. End users in logistics and QSR value the clean cutting knife performance, lack of printer thermal head adhesive buildup from emulsion adhesives, clear barcode scan readability, and alignment with sustainability regulations.”