You’d be hard pressed to find a greener labeling option then linerless labels. An expert in this field is UK-based linerless labeling specialist Ravenwood Packaging. The company works closely with suppliers of materials and adhesives to produce seamless labeling production lines for the food sector. The flexible adhesive-backed labels from Ravenwood Packaging are regularly used as the eco-friendly replacement for traditional labels that carry waste-creating backing paper.

Accoding to Ravenwood, their products are now increasingly incorporating RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology for the protection of valuable food items such as meat and cheese, and also for source tagging. The company supplies a wide range of Nobac applicators – including the Nobac 500 and 500 twin sleevers that are capable of applying sleeves in all formats varying from C-wrap and full wraps, to packs for the chilled foods and convenience markets.The Nobac 500 twin headed sleever enables continuous operation by enabling a swap of production between heads for reel or ribbon changes.

Paul  Beamish, Ravenwood’s Managing Director, points out that there has been much recent interest from other industry sectors including fresh produce, drinks, healthcare, pharmaceutical and cosmetics and toiletries sectors – as the technology is finding new markets in both the UK and worldwide.

“The ability of our linerless labelling systems to pack with paper, card and film all through the same applicator means that a different range of quality lines can be packed on the same production line throughout different times in the day simply by changing the material used,” Beamish says. “These machines give maximum flexibility and sustainability benefits. As a result, they are capturing new markets here in the UK and overseas particularly in developing economies. Line speeds are still of great importance to customers and waste targets are met by these machines with ease.”

Ravenwood’s “Slideable” labels are made from thicker materials up to 300gsm. They are unlike conventional linerless labels in that they slide on the pack allowing the customers to view the product inside. The ‘slideable’ labels, which can be produced 500mm x 200mm, are ‘sleeves’ with a difference in that they come on a roll. They offer the advantages of lightweighting and automation.

Ravenwood Packaging has recently launched a new service which upgrades customers’ existing planet-friendly labelling systems to new specifications when they have become past their optimum-best. In a major recycling and refurbishment exercise the company is now offering to take older-model applicators and labelling systems from customers for a total refresh and return with updated software functioning.