Labelling Solutions


coverage to minimising oxygen penetrating the pack, extending shelf life and reducing product waste. Previous challenges, such as label


distortion on deeper containers - for instance ice cream tubs and yellow fats - have also been solved. It is now possible to apply labels to containers 80mm deep, while staying consistent and true. Smaller production runs are also feasible, with digital technology especially suited to shorter IML runs. When it comes to the application of labels, techniques vary. In injection moulding the most common approach is to index pre-cut labels into the mould using a dedicated robotic arm, and immobilise them using vacuum or static electricity. The polymer is then rear-injected into the mould, while heat and pressure are carefully adjusted to deliver the required degree of melt in the film.


ULTRA-THIN PACKAGING MARKET PRESSES AHEAD WITH NEW TECHNIQUE Compression injection moulding is one of the most recent developments in the thin wall packaging sector and is being rapidly adopted by converters using stack moulds for the mass-production of disposable food packaging containers. By applying injection compression techniques, packaging moulders can reduce the wall thickness of containers and lids from 0.45mm to


0.35mm. This saves around 25 per cent in raw polypropylene materials compared to the standard injection moulding process, while maintaining comparable mechanical properties. At Fakuma 2017, Sumitomo


(SHI) Demag exhibited its high performance El-Exis SP 200/920 machine,


collaborating with specialist injection compression mould manufacturer Rouxel to produce decorative packaging lids on a 2+2 stack mould. Sustainability is another


factor where IML has the advantage. Because the label is printed directly onto the packaging material, householders can recycle the packaging as a single container, making it more environmentally friendly. From a manufacturers’ perspective, printing the text and visuals directly onto packaging also means fewer resources are being used. In addition to reducing manufacturing costs, fewer machines and materials are required. Most IML processes are automated and


longer term this can save a business a significant sum on resources. In addition, the decoration aspect of their labelling can now be brought in-house rather than outsourcing, streamlining production and


IML is a cost effective way to form robust thin-wall containers with visual shelf appeal


realising further cost savings. Industry commentators predict that


injection moulded IML will continue to grow the most rapidly of all primary-packaging label technologies between now and 2024. In part this can be attributed to more widespread adoption of thin and now ultra thin walled packaging. Statistics courtesy of www.convertingquarterly.com/the- converting-curmudgeon/in-mold-labeling-rea dy-for-liftoff-in-north-america uk.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu


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Print Inspection & Plate Mounting


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Tel: +44 (0)1685 722225 Fax: +44 (0)1685 722321 sales@tectonicinternational.com www.tectonicinternational.com


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