10 minute read
LABELLING
Labelling solutions that maximise flexibility & performance
Labels are key components of any brand marketing mix, allowing manufacturers to differentiate products, giving end consumers the information they need and expect. Precise application of highquality labels typically contributes to an excellent brand experience.
AGROWING VARIETY OF beverage types and bottle formats makes labelling challenging. Flexibility is a valuable benefit to beverage producers. Priorities topping the list include faster product and format changeovers, simple operations and optimised processes that use the same equipment for different label types, ensuring consistent uptime.
Sidel’s EvoDECO labelling solutions meets these demands. Based on a common core and optimised design, they enable producers to deliver different stock keeping units (SKUs). They might include several labelling applications in one multitechnology machine or a single labelling application through dedicated equipment for optimised uptime, reduced footprint and low total cost of ownership (TCO).
EvoDECO’s platform is built using the latest technology regardless of model or configuration. This gives beverage producers the ability to choose solutions based on specific labelling needs and output levels, without compromising on flexibility, efficiency or sustainability.
EVODECO MULTI LABELLER
Sidel’s most flexible labelling solution, EvoDECO Multi, brings modularity into labelling. It offers a standardised carousel
EvoDECO Multi modularity in labelling
that can be equipped with up to four different labelling technologies: roll-fed, self-adhesive, cold glue and hot melt. This allows manufacturers to set up machines for their unique labelling needs. They can easily apply several types of labels to different types of containers and packaging materials (PET, HDPE, glass), of varying formats and dimensions (from 0.1l to five litres), on a single machine at speeds from 6 000 up to 81 000 containers per hour. Switching between various labelling modules is quick and easy, thanks to plug and play connections. This offers producers freedom of labelling choice and total flexibility.
As part of the Sidel Matrix platform, EvoDECO Multi has been designed for modularity, flexibility and performance. It allows for up to 36 layout configurations and a 30% faster changeover time. It also offers 98% efficiency with non-stop labelling and lower TCO through reduced electrical consumption, maintenance time and optimised glue management.
Easy operations, cleaning and maintenance are facilitated by its open, frameless structure. This, together with the re-design of all the single modules, results in a significantly enhanced machine uptime.
Brushless motors integrated into the carousel and the labelling stations remove the need for lubrication and achieve great energy savings. EvoDECO Multi labeller was developed to handle all labels, even ultra-thin, with utmost precision, ensuring top label quality application and performance at a very high level.
EvoDECO labelling technologies can be installed as dedicated applications, answering manufacturers’ needs for maximum performance.
TOP PRODUCTIVITY AND A SUSTAINABLE FOOTPRINT
Boasting four carousel sizes, up to three labelling stations and 24 configurations, Roll-Fed can generate outputs of up to 72 000 containers per hour at an efficiency rate of 98%. It is particularly suitable for water, carbonated soft drinks (CSD), juices and dairy producers. Using hot glue to apply wrap-around plastic labels, it can handle lightweight containers and ultrathin labels. It also allows for better glue control and distribution, combined with reduced consumption.
Ergonomics have been significantly optimised for performance and efficiency as reflected by the linear design of the rollfed station. All main components are fully visible and accessible during production or maintenance, without disengaging the station. Cleaning can be carried out automatically during production by a system “SIdel’s EvoDECO labelling solutions offer beverage producers total flexibility and performance to deploy any kind of labelling technologies for all containers”
installed on the vacuum drum. This removes glue residual for higher performance.
It can also be equipped with an automatic label extraction system (protected by Sidel patent). This ensures no downtime occurs due to labels not properly applied to the bottle or no bottles being present, for a smooth and consistent flow of production. Label application is carried out with a pad-to-pad transfer, leading to a very stable and accurate process, even at high speeds. A reels auto-splicing system can be activated at very high speeds of up to 30 000 containers per hour resulting in improved productivity.
While developing the EvoDECO Roll-Fed labeller, ease of operations has been high on the Sidel engineers’ agenda. Solutions can be controlled and adjusted via a humanmachine interface (HMI), which is integrated within the labelling station. The vacuum drum is built in lightweight sectors for easy and quick replacement, without disengaging the station. Patented adjustable pads for longer production time and less time for maintenance are also available.
Glue is melted on demand and circulated at a precise temperature and in smaller quantities, increasing label quality application. This allows for reduced consumption of glue, avoids glue degradation, glue filament and glue splashing for better overall quality and improved sustainability.
TOP QUALITY LABELS AND FLEXIBLE CONFIGURATION
The adhesive labeller is designed to apply labels at high speed with increased efficiency. It can be equipped with six different carousel sizes, up to five labelling stations and 36 configurations - applying plastic or paper pressure sensitive labels. •
Sidel EvoDECO solutions – www.sidel.com/labelling
Production interface minimises case and pallet labelling downtime
Markem-Imaje’s 2200 Production Interface reduces the risk of rework and recalls by minimising the scope for operator error.
Warnings and alerts can easily be viewed in the user’s chosen language
DOWNTIME IS REDUCED by the ability to preview and adjust labels digitally. It is also improved by a large intuitive touchscreen, which helps operators work more quickly. With downtime, rework and recalls eating into profits, manufacturers must minimise these elements. The 2200 Series Print & Apply (P&A) labelling system for cases and pallets can save up to six days of downtime per year. Traditionally, labels have been created and stored away from the production line. Untrained or distracted operators can make mistakes by picking the wrong product label and/or inputting the wrong data from the remote location (e.g. in an office or separate line PC). With no label preview function at printer level, mistakes can only be spotted after printing has started, resulting in production stops and rework. The Production Interface minimises scope for such mistakes and accelerates changeovers. It also makes case and pallet labelling less resource-intensive to manage, freeing up operators to do other, higher priority activities. The improved storage capacity means labels are effectively stored en masse at printer level with limited image editing capabilities, protecting layout and data integrity, while increasing speed. Enhanced connectivity also makes it easier for label formats and data to be retrieved, on demand, from a remote location directly to the printer via the CoLOS information management system.
Incorrect label selection by operators can also be eliminated by enabling keyboardfree label selection and variable data updating through a connection to a handheld barcode reader - linked to a production manifest. The Production Interface’s large touchscreen shows exactly how variable content will appear on the eventually printed label. If needed, operators can easily make six types of minor adjustments, such as label position and print contrast, digitally via the interface. In other labellers such setting changes can be so difficult to access that operators commonly resort to manually moving the printer product sensor which can result in equipment damage and personal injury.
Available in 261mm or 396mm touchscreens, colour-coded printer statuses are more visible at a distance so problems can be spotted and addressed without delay. •
Markem Imaje – www.markem-image.com
Plastic recycling labelling confusing and inconsistent "We have a unique opportunity to change and rebuild systems to work for people, business and the planet”
Consumer movement and UNEP set out five global recommendations for action to tackle complexity of packaging information for consumers
Better labelling will forge the way for better recycling practices
AGLOBAL ASSESSMENT of recycling and sustainability labelling on plastic packaging has found only 17% of assessed labels give consumers quality information to make informed recycling and purchasing decisions. The research from the UN Environment Programme, Consumers International and the One Planet network found that 20% of the 30 worldwide labels assessed were given a negative score by consulted experts, 17% were positive with the rest receiving mixed or neutral results. In response the report authors have created five global recommendations for action to engage business, policy makers and standard setters in creating better plastics labelling with the aim to make sustainability the easy choice for consumers.
Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of plastic on the environment and want to reduce their use. However, the information provided to them is often unclear, leading to reported confusion and mistrust. There is a lack of standardisation and accountability with individual brands creating their own labels and claims without third party certification. Globally, only about 9% of plastic waste has been recycled and about 12% has been incinerated. The vast majority ends up in landfill or leaks into the environment.
This is far away from the global vision for plastics to be 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable. Rising public awareness and concern about plastics has encouraged businesses to increasingly communicate this information about their packaging. However, the information is not always clear or actionable for consumers. A global, multi-faceted, multistakeholder approach is the only way to tackle a crisis on this scale. Better plastics labelling is a simple and powerful way to help consumers to buy more recyclable and recycled products and to dispose of them correctly. Report authors, UN Environment Programme and Consumers International are now taking forward the report’s recommendations on plastics labelling. They will be working, with key strategic partners, to enact the five global recommendations for action: 1. Businesses following the Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information in their plastic packaging communications. 2. Global consistency when it comes to definitions relating to the content and reusability of packaging or disposable items. 3. The definitions and technical requirements used in standards related to recyclability, compostability, and biodegradability should better reflect real world conditions and be more attentive to accessibility and consumer understanding. 4. The use of the ‘chasing arrows’ symbol should be restricted to indicating recyclability. 5. Informative and verified recycling labels should be adopted and their proper use enforced.
Helena Leurent, director general, Consumers International says, “As the world rebuilds after COVID-19, we must focus on rebuilding our economy but doing it in a way that meets the Sustainable Development Goals. We have a unique opportunity to change and rebuild systems to work for people, business and the planet. To accelerate sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges we need to bring together dedicated, innovative and ambitious people across all areas of the plastics infrastructure. “Consumers are aware of the impact of plastics on the environment, however information provided on plastics is not always clear and actionable. The five global recommendations for action will support businesses, policy and standard setters to enable consumers to make sustainable choices.” The research also found a confusing use of the chasing arrows symbol associated with recycling. There is no standard practice for its use and brands can use the symbol for any meaning.
An example of this is the Green Dot label. The design of this label is reminiscent of the universal recycling symbol, but does not indicate recyclable, instead it means the brand has paid into a scheme which recovers, sorts and recycles sales packaging in the EU. A valid and useful scheme but the symbol is confusing for consumers who could mistake it for recycling information. During the expert consultation, labels that inform about compostability and biodegradability emerged as the most problematic. While research suggests consumers prefer packaging that is compostable or biodegradable, access to industrial composting facilities is very limited and consumers are confused about how to dispose of these items. Therefore, these materials are often contaminating garden waste streams and recycling streams, simply going into household waste or in the worst case, littered into the environment. •
