Avery Dennison linerless labels | 43Middleton frmly believes that the increased take-up of decorative “Once linerless applicators are linerless labels will spark a new wave of innovation.‘It will open peoples’ eyes to how to convert labels in a different more widely installed, brands will format. For example, because the liner no longer has to deliver the label to the container, the performance requirements of the liner be encouraged to test out more can be adapted. You might look at a different liner to glassine, for example, which is more diffcult to recycle, or a more optimized linerless formats”release coating formulation.’or square anyway, so this could be something brands would be Middleton says the next generation of PS label applicators will prepared to live with to gain the sustainability benefts. And with a be designed from the ground up for ease of conversion to linerless. clear flm the graphic design can give a convincing illusion of shape ‘Conventional PS labels will not disappear, so the ability to run without the need to die cut.’ in dual mode will be key. We might also see the development A key brand concern has been visible perforations left after the of late-stage die cutting for shapes, but again that re-introduces linerless labels have been separated. ‘Some people thought we waste.’ were producing postage stamps!’ laughs Middleton. ‘But using the Middleton compares the current situation with linerless to the latest technology you cannot see the perforations – you can run push-pull cycle of the electric vehicle market. ‘You need a network your fnger down the edge and feel it but visually you can’t see the of chargers before people feel they can move to electric vehicles, perforations.’ and then adoption rapidly ramps up. Similarly, once linerless Another major stumbling block has been brands’ reluctance to applicators are more widely installed, brands will be encouraged to disrupt their existing high-volume automated PS labeling lines. test out more linerless formats.’ Middleton argues that for some brands it would be ‘relatively The approach of sustainability targets will also drive linerless straightforward’ to introduce linerless if there was a modular adoption. ‘Over the last couple of years, we had the pandemic and system that you can simply roll in and out. then supply chain shortages, and now businesses are returning ‘The back label is also a good starting point. As these tend to to normal we are only a few years away from 2030 sustainability be rectangular, a brand could run only its back labels in linerless targets. So now they are focused on achieving those targets, and format and start to standardize that across their product range.’ linerless has an obvious contribution to make.’Future innovationWayne Middleton participated in the Label Academy Avery Dennison sees the launch of AD LinrSave as the frst step on Sustainability masterclass at Labelexpo Europe 2023. a journey to make linerless a mainstream decorative PS technology. For more, visit www.label-academy.comHigh Quality LED Printing InksZeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KGGermanywww.zeller-gmelin.de Zeller+Gmelin UK Ltd.Great Britainwww.zeller-gmelin.co.ukZeller+Gmelin Corp.USAwww.zeller-gmelin.comOct - Dec 2023