Innovation | IML and decoration
IML is a fast growing market and its appeal is now reaching beyond Europe to North America and Asia. Peter Mapleston reviews the technology trends
The growing appeal of IML
In-mould labelling of injection moulded parts is progressing fast. Look around any plastics exhibition pretty much anywhere in the world and you are likely to see IML demonstrations - and possibly IMD, too - run- ning on many injection machine makers’ stands, with the process being shown as an option not only for conventional decoration, but also to provide oxygen and light protection, double-sided decoration, metallic and 3D effects, and more. The potential for IML is still huge. Consultancy
group AWA Alexander Watson Associates estimates the global market for all types of labels to amount to around 50bn square meters. While it says IML only accounts for less than 2% of that, it is a growing sector while global demand for pressure sensitive and ‘glue applied’ labels – which each account for close to 40% of the total – is in decline. IML technology developed in Europe and the market
remains highly European-centred. AWA president and CEO Corey Reardon estimates close to 60% of demand for IML labels is accounted for by Europe and Russia. North America accounts for little more than a quarter, while the whole of Asia accounts for less than 10% of total demand. Close to 70% of the global total is estimated to be used in injection moulding applications. While the European market for IML is considered to
be quite mature, it is certainly not static. “IML is used increasingly by brand owners in Europe seeking to convey the values of quality and modernity,” says Jon
www.injectionworld.com
Nash, director of consulting at AMI Consulting, publisher of the Plastic Labels in Europe market study. AMI estimates that IML labels account for around 10% of European plastic label production by volume. That fi gure underlines the fact that many of the key players in IML label production are based in Europe and enjoy a good export business. Belgian company Verstraete is the world’s largest IML label producer. According to the company’s business development and marketing manager Dieter Maes, European growth is particularly strong at present, especially in large pails. He sees many processors at a tipping point with regard to technology. “Moulders are doing IML and direct printing, and at a certain point, they need to decide: ‘Are we going to buy one new direct printing machine, or three or four more IML lines?’” he says. His assessment is that, increas- ingly, they are taking the second option. Growth in Asia-Pacifi c is higher, with Verstraete
Engel ran this IML packaging application at last month’s Plastpol show in Poland. Campetella of Italy provided the IML automation
June 2014 | INJECTION WORLD 27
Main image: RPC Superfos’s high barrier IML packaging for Bornholms offers a
two-year shelf life, allowing the seafood
fi rm to replace metal cans
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