INDUSTRY COMMENT BEVERAGE INDUSTRY


Z-Italia roll-fed OPP labeller supplied by AVE UK applies plastic, recyclable or paper wrap-around labels from a reel onto cylindrical or shaped containers, either empty or full. The servo motor in the labelling unit accurately controls the stretching of the film, which is unwound, cut and transferred onto the container using vacuum technology. Precision control ensures that only the exact amount of material required is unwound, further reducing waste. Similarly, the stainless-steel glue roll distributes glue onto the edges of the labels and ensures only the minimum amount of glue is used.


productivity benefits The Z-Italia roll-fed OPP labeller


flexibility and profitability...


productivity, sustainability,


Steve Bradley, UK sales director for AVE UK,


examines why 2021’s supply chain issues have been the catalyst needed for manufacturers in the soft drinks packaging industry to upgrade their beverage labelling lines and specify OPP (oriented polypropylene) labelling solutions


F


or many years, self-adhesive labelling has been used across the soft drinks packaging industry, however supply


chain issues throughout 2021 – increased red tape, border hold-ups and rising import costs because of Brexit, combined with onerous Covid-19 protocols – have resulted in a sharp rise in the cost of component materials, making self-adhesive labelling an unaffordable option for many drinks manufacturers. This, however, has provided the catalyst needed


to upgrade beverage labelling lines across the UK. With lower component costs, OPP (oriented polypropylene) labellers were already a cheaper alternative to self-adhesive models. Now, the cost of labelling a soft drinks bottle with OPP


2


technology is, on average, three times less expensive than a self-adhesive option. OPP labelling also offers sustainability benefits


because the labels are produced on a reel with no backing paper. Not only does this mean a lower carbon footprint in the manufacturing process, but it cuts the volume of waste created by the end-user. OPP machines also support the use of recyclable labelling materials. Furthermore, accurate control


helps end-users to minimise wastage further. For example, available in rotary or linear configuration from 3,000 to 70,000 bottles per hour, the


4 DESIGN SOLUTIONS NOVEMBER 2021


Each OPP reel can hold 20,000-25,000 labels


In addition to the benefits listed above, OPP labelling can also deliver impressive productivity gains when compared with self-adhesive alternatives. Each self-adhesive reel contains, on average, 5,000 labels. In comparison, the lack of backing paper means that each OPP reel can hold 20,000-25,000 labels – up to five times as many. And, as they are completely automated, OPP labellers such as the Z-Italia roll-fed labeller mentioned above require no manual reel change. On a 20,000 bottles-per-hour line, production would need to stop every 15 minutes to accommodate the changeover of the self- adhesive labelling reel. With a twin-feed OPP labeller, there is no requirement to stop the line, enabling continuous production. In addition, the twin-feed design of OPP


labellers like the Z-Italia range also supports production flexibility. Ideal for applications such as beverage, mineral water, food and milk production, as well as in the chemical industry, the double reel support is operated by servo motors that allow the end-user to process a wide range of materials of varying quality and thickness. Furthermore, if the size or type of label


needs to be altered to accommodate a product changeover, this can be actioned while the original label is still being applied. The first reel can continue operating while the second is being switched, ensuring total flexibility without requiring production to be stopped. Offering clear productivity, sustainability,


flexibility and profitability benefits, it is clear that UK beverage producers have much to gain by switching from self-adhesive labelling to OPP alternatives.


AVE UK www.aveuk.net


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