The Adhesive Sticker Printing During The Epidemic

Before Covid-19, sustainability was arguably the hottest topic in the Adhesive Sticker and packaging printing industry. But with supply chain challenges posed by the pandemic, the topic of sustainability has been softened, but it remains a priority for many processors and suppliers.

Calvin Frost, Chairman of Channeled Resources Group, explained: “When the pandemic first hit in spring 2020, there was a noticeable pause in interest in sustainability, such as using green products, diverting non-recyclables from landfills In addition, there has been no interest in investing in capital equipment to facilitate landfill diversion. However, since the first quarter of 2021, we have rediscovered that market interest in developing sustainability goals and solutions has returned , albeit at a much slower pace than before the pandemic."

“The pandemic has created many challenges, some of which underscore the need for a more proactive approach to managing our resources as the pressure to reduce raw material supplies grows,” said Alan Ahmed, Sustainability Manager, Americas, UPM Raflatac. "Going forward, we see these challenges as opportunities to continue to innovate and drive sustainable growth, creating resiliency for our business and our customers," said Shley Drew.

In its latest AWAreness report, Global Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Sticker Market, AWA Alexander Watson Associates writes: “The biggest concern in the pressure-sensitive Adhesive Sticker industry today is how to deal with the by-products of release liner. Hence, pressure-sensitive labels Growth prospects will be increasingly influenced by environmental concerns, legislation and industry guidelines/codes of practice, as well as increasing demands from end users and retailers to meet the sustainability agenda.”

AWA Alexander Watson Associates conducts an annual survey of the release liner industry, which addresses several key topics to better understand ongoing issues around sustainability, as well as options for the industry to reduce, reuse and eliminate waste. Respondents to AWA's 2021 Release Liner Survey said sustainability is important and there are now a growing number of initiatives to help make the pressure-sensitive label industry sustainable. However, the survey also shows that there is still broader scope for action in recycling release liner waste.

According to AWA, more than 80% of respondents to the company's survey believe that sustainability issues are primarily an "important aspect" of scale, but when assessing whether release liner recycling issues are affecting their business, only over 30% Respondents gave the same rating. Of those surveyed, 42% said their company is currently participating in a program to recycle/reuse used release liner.

"This is an improvement on previous AWA release liner surveys," AWA noted. "The research shows that sustainability is a topic that many feel is or will be important to their business over the next five years, but Release liner waste management hasn't affected them yet."

In addition, the AWA writes: “In general, North American legislation is considered to be less advanced than EU regulations, but there are regulations on material types, emissions, recycling, etc. at both the national and state level. Although there is evidence that these initiatives are often driven by states dominance, not federal dominance.”

Big brands like Unilever, Pepsi and Coca-Cola are leading sustainability by making recycling commitments for 2025 and beyond. According to Mactac senior marketing manager Kim Hensley, international organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) have made significant progress by helping to set standards for wood-based products from sustainably managed forests, such as recyclable labelling materials.

"Taking bolder stances, big brands are launching mainstream initiatives to address growing global environmental and sustainability concerns," Hensley said. "From changing packaging designs to adopting corporate mandates, brands are demonstrating their commitment to global issues. no longer stand idly by while making promises.”

The AWA study also confirmed this position. The AWA noted: “Interestingly, retailers have more direct and overt influence on policy and strategy, such as Walmart’s ambition to reduce the amount of packaging material by a specified percentage in a given time frame. By introducing packaging Scorecards, promoting sustainability, and the stated intention of some retailers to develop a low carbon or zero carbon footprint. Retailers want to be seen as leaders in environmental protection without sacrificing cost, convenience and innovation. They Instead of expending effort to protect packaging or other materials deemed to have health, safety or environmental concerns, materials are often replaced.”

“Sustainability is more important than ever,” said Michelle Yuan, program manager for sustainability marketing at Avery Dennison Adhesive Sticker and Packaging Materials. The commitment has accelerated. Brands' focus on sustainability is also being driven by investors and the potential for regulation of sustainability disclosure. So processors are seeing this as well. Processors are now being asked to support these concerns about sustainability more frequently. Requirements for continuous disclosure, transparency of data and sustainability practices.”

Sun Chemical's Dennis Sweet says it's not just about what processors create, but how they create them. “Processors are turning to operational initiatives such as reducing energy use, CO2 emissions and waste to improve their overall carbon footprint. At Sun Chemical, we are working with processors to provide high-quality, sustainable products that improve its processes, as well as the eco-efficiency of the final packaged product, to promote a circular economy and reduce environmental impact.”

However, creating a more sustainable world requires the work of everyone, not just brands and label printers. “The impact of consumers on sustainability initiatives cannot be overstated,” Sweet said, “Our customers will increasingly demand products that include sustainability features to satisfy consumers and brand owners alike. demand. As an organization, we have a responsibility to protect the health and vitality of the planet, and we will never stop finding new ways to improve our own sustainability efforts.”

While there is still room for improvement, the industry has taken many steps to improve sustainability. The outbreak has shifted some of consumers' attention from green to survival, but there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. "I think the industry has come a long way in prioritizing the environment, whether it's working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its facilities or introducing new sustainable products to help make labels and containers more recyclable," FLEXcon Strategies Dan Riendo, Business Unit Packaging Manager, commented, “The work done by APR is having a positive impact in shifting the industry to a more sustainable trajectory in terms of standards and guidance. As each company continues to make a conscious effort to prioritize Considering green practices, the industry will be better off.”

02

overcome difficulties

There are many obstacles to overcome when adopting sustainable practices. According to Channeled Resources' Frost, the biggest hurdle in our industry dealing with recycling and sustainability is developing logistics and packaging solutions. Of course, cost is also a factor.

“Thirty years ago, I would have thought education was the biggest problem,” Frost said, “but now, the barriers have shifted from education to logistics and packaging. Sadly, every processor is different, so you can’t One size fits all. Avoiding landfills requires creativity and flexibility, and it may require capital investment. Also, management must have recycling and sustainability as a core focus.”

Hensley noted that sustainable packaging is understandably more expensive than conventional packaging, often due to lower supply chains, manufacturing processes and yields compared to conventional packaging. "Additionally, customers can also be very resistant to change, and brands understandably don't want to give them any reason to try a competitive product."

The various materials used in the industry also pose challenges. There are many layers to recyclability that contribute to the dilemma we are in right now. “The biggest obstacle to recycling is the fragmented recycling infrastructure and the numerous combinations of packaging substrates, Adhesive Stickers and inks used,” commented Avery Dennison’s Yuan. “The diversity of packaging makes it very difficult because not All packaging types can be recycled using the same methods. Recycling infrastructure capabilities vary by region. In addition to this, the economics of recycling and regulation will vary. Recyclability will be affected by all of these factors, so Difficult to scale up solutions.”

The complexity of plastic recycling is also a significant barrier when it comes to recycling and sustainability in our industry. According to FLEXcon, there are misconceptions about plastic recycling, such as the belief that paper labels are preferable to film labels, when in reality, paper labels are detrimental to the process because they contaminate the plastic recycling stream.

FLEXcon's Riendo said: "Processors must understand the nuances of plastic recycling, the expected recycling paths for packaging, and how they differ for each type of plastic. It is also important to understand the solutions available and how they use existing equipment. Important. The more processors understand the intricacies of plastic recycling and the capabilities of various sustainable materials, the more they can lead in this space, providing brands with options that meet their needs and, in turn, consumers’ needs ."

There are many recycling challenges on a regional basis. Many countries in the United States and South America lack proper recycling infrastructure, which hinders unity and education about what can be recycled, and how to do it properly. Landfilling is also cheap in many states, making it an attractive waste disposal option.

In some cases, everyone should be in the same position to think. Sean Bage, VP of Strategic Planning and Innovation at INX International Inks, explained: “Some of the biggest barriers have to do with goal alignment and infrastructure. For example, recycling, reuse and recycling must be aligned with the brand’s goals and how it uses Renewable and other non-renewable materials. We believe that the principles of the future circular economy will effectively combine corporate goals and resource recovery infrastructure.”

Labels and shrink sleeves on PET plastic bottles remain another challenge in today's recycling process. The ability to recycle PET plastic bottles has been an area of focus for Sun Chemical. In addition, Sun Chemical notes that for floating labels, the ink must adhere to the label throughout the wash step without affecting the floating separation of the label from the PET bottle. Sun Chemical also offers inks and coatings that meet these requirements in the APR guidance document. Another key challenge to the disruptions to global supply chains caused by the pandemic is container shortages and rising oil prices. Sustainable products, as well as more traditional ones, are also affected by these common issues facing the entire industry today. While many suppliers and processors take environmentally friendly practices very seriously, there are countless suppliers and processors that have yet to take action.

“As much as I would say the future of recycling and sustainability is bright, by nature, unless we’re forced to do it, it’s not going to happen,” Frost said. “EPR is a virtuous tool, It will force packaging by-products back to the original producer. Producers will pay to keep stuff out of landfill. This will eventually seep into chemical elemental changes that create a friendlier product. It will create impact Logistics and packaging solutions for everyone’s business. Recycling and sustainability will be the buzzwords of EPR. It’s not going to happen anytime soon, in my opinion.”

03

Where to start?

First, companies must reduce material usage and focus on resource optimisation, said Robert Taylor, director of sustainability at UPM Raflatac. They must then choose products that use recycled content, thereby enhancing recycling and waste minimization.

“An important area where processors can make a sustainable impact is ensuring that release liner and other waste products are recycled wherever possible, including substrate waste where chemical recycling opens up new opportunities,” adds Drew from UPM Raflatac.

According to Avery Dennison's Yuan, there are plenty of viable options to start the process. Start by analyzing your product portfolio and consider where there are opportunities to reduce material use, such as switching to thinner labels, replacing existing products with more sustainable options, such as those with renewable, recycled content, or Support for recyclability. “Look at your own operations to better understand where you use the most materials, energy and water, and use this data to establish operational sustainability goals and targets. It also allows you to identify cost savings opportunities such as Energy audits, energy efficiency retrofits, etc. Beyond that, it’s important to know where your company’s core competencies are and what the topics are most important to stakeholders. This is usually done through a materiality assessment.”

Thinner products use less energy and less raw materials in the manufacturing process, resulting in reduced shipping costs, less packaging waste, and increased productivity. In general, thinner products allow companies in all markets to maintain quality while reducing their overall environmental impact.

"Considering these benefits, the labeling and packaging industry is turning to the implementation of ultra-thin topsheets and linings," said Mactac's Hensley, "from 2.6 mil white polypropylene, which has been the standard for many years, to the current low-spec version, 2.4 mil and 1.6 mil, for example, are taking over to improve economics and sustainability. Standard 2.0 mil clear polypropylene, typically used in 'no label look' applications, is moving towards 1.6 mil."

From an ink standpoint, converters can use ink dispensers to reduce waste and excess ink inventory. For example, Sun Chemical's MX12 Dispenser, a product from the Sun Chemical Dispenser Program, allows printers to mix only what they need, while maintaining color matching consistency with no color variation, achieving repeatability and 0.001 lb ( 0.0005 kg) accuracy.

Nikola Juhas, Technical Director of Sustainability at Sun Chemicals commented: "Processors equipped with energy curing systems can reduce energy consumption by converting standard mercury vapor lamps to UV LED alternatives. We have developed a new technology called SolarWave. High quality UV LED curable inks, which can improve the environment in industrial processes, including lower energy consumption and lower energy costs, longer lamp life, and no ozone generation. These inks maintain the traditional UV flexo inks in printing and application all performance attributes in .”

“Printers can help their brand owners or retailer customers achieve their own sustainable packaging goals by using bio-renewable, recyclable and/or compostable inks,” says Sweet. Helping brands and converters ensure circular and sustainable end-of-life solutions for their products. Sun Chemical has a wide range of inks and coatings with these properties, and we focus on delivering solutions that minimize packaging weight and complexity. "

Label and packaging printing companies must analyze their workflow

All aspects of the process, especially where recyclables and non-recyclables are generated. Processors also need to find experts in their area who can help them provide appropriate solutions. For those interested, TLMI has a supplier directory on its website. Processors need to seek help and guidance from local experts.

Channeled Resources has several internal policies and partnerships to better promote sustainability. The company has created a closed-loop business model that only processes non-recyclable substrates of paper and film that have been coated, treated and/or laminated and therefore traditionally not recyclable. It also has commercial silicone coaters with coating capabilities in the U.S. and Canada and serves as a blank label manufacturer.

"Our partnership with Convergen Energy in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has allowed us to achieve landfill-free status at both of our processing facilities," said Channeled Resource's Frost. The partnership requires us to develop additional non-recyclable feedstocks for them. This means that we are in daily conversations with processors across North America about what is needed to achieve landfill diversion. We do not charge for this service because it is part of our agreement with Convergen. We are committed to reducing the industry’s carbon footprint by diverting matrix and flexible packaging by-products from landfills to Convergen Energy.”

Sustainability will continue to be the top concern, and its importance will only grow,” noted Avery Dennison’s Yuan. “From a recycling and end-use perspective, we expect significant Invest in recycling infrastructure for recycling. We would like to see the enhancement of mechanical processes through the use of analytics and tracking technologies. These technologies can be used to improve sorting by recyclers and ensure that materials go first into the recycling stream for end users. Contribute to climate change, sustainable Sexuality and emissions concerns will also continue to intensify. As brands seek ways to meet their emissions targets and the latest wave of carbon neutrality, they will want to better understand the carbon footprint of their products and supply chains.”

04

New product

Avery Dennison targets 2030 as the time when 100% of its products contain recycled or renewable ingredients. The company's core philosophies include reducing material usage, improving bottle-to-bottle recyclability, and increasing the recyclable content of final products, while sourcing responsibly.

To help promote these core values, Avery Dennison recently launched a new portfolio of flagship products and solutions for Sustainable Advantage. "While many products and solutions in the portfolio are already readily available, placing them under a recognizable umbrella will give customers the confidence to achieve their own sustainability goals," said Avery Dennison's Yuan , "By setting clear standards, Sustainable Advantage will enable companies across industries around the world to use fewer natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, reduce waste, and build a low-carbon circular economy."

Today, FLEXcon has two distinct product lines to help enable recyclability of PET and HDPE containers. FLEXcon OptiFLEX EcoFOCUS for PET with washable adhesive provides sustainability and performance for primary labels and sustainable packaging. Available in white, clear and silver BOPP films, one of the most popular printable sides is coated with the company's new V-52RE wash-off adhesive to maximize the recyclability of PET containers.

FLEXcon OptiFLEX EcoFOCUS for HDPE includes white clear conformal polyethylene (PE) film with V-127RE adhesive to ensure excellent performance and recyclability of HDPE containers. "Both solutions meet or exceed the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) key guidance protocols for their respective resin types and are ideal for food and beverage, health and beauty, and household chemical labeling applications," said FLEXcon's Riendo. Choice. Recycling and sustainability initiatives are here to stay, and as more companies make sustainability a priority, more products and services will be needed to implement these initiatives, especially given the concerns surrounding packaging recyclability New standards set.”

At the same time, INX International has developed several key products to meet the needs of sustainable development. INXhrc Natural Inks have replaced petrochemically derived ingredients with clean, renewable and sustainable ingredients, all without sacrificing performance.

It’s important to note that brand owners and printers benefit from reduced regulatory risk, as well as the measurable and reportable CO2 reductions associated with these inks,” said INX’s Belch, “INXhrc RC is designed for rigid containers. designed, and offer an equally high renewable content. Our Genesis washable inks are deinked from shrinkable cPET film and floatable using web OPP. This allows recycling of recycled materials to produce new transparent bottle."

All of Mactac's major paper suppliers are 100% sourced from sustainable forests and are SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified and offer FSC grades. Mactac offers thin linings like 1.6 mild Bloom that reduce environmental impact and increase labels by up to 15% per roll. The company also offers recycling compatible adhesives such as ST95 and 640AT.

“We also offer polypropylene labels that meet the highest recyclability standards for PET bottle labels,” says Macta’s Hensley. “Our polypropylene label stock with PUREfloat adhesive is approved by the Plastics Recycling Association and meets the Key guideline endorsement. PUREfloat will float on PET flaps, bottles and other containers for recycling during the washing process, leaving no adhesive residue."

Sun Chemical has developed a range of recycling-friendly inks for different film and label formats that comply with the recyclability protocols published by the Plastics Recyclers Association. The SunEco portfolio includes the company's wide range of sustainable inks, coatings and adhesives. SunVisto AquaGreen Bio-Renewable Inks provide printing inks with high levels of bio-renewable components that significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Additionally, SunVisto AquaGreen inks do not affect end use or print performance.

UPM Raflatac offers a complete portfolio of sustainable solutions for paper and film labels. Some examples of these products include the Carbon Trust certified UPM Raflatac RAFNXT+ range. “Labels using RAFNXT+ can reduce your carbon footprint compared to standard paper lamination,” said Anna Hunter, Marketing and Communications Manager, Americas, UPM Raflatac. “Another paper-based solution is LabelLoop. LabelLoop products Made from facestock made from post-consumer waste (PCW) containing recycled label release liner. For film labels, we were the first supplier to offer a 100% wood-based film called Forest Film.”