104 | Linerless labeling“With the shortage of board within the industry, linerless presents companies with a more cost-effective and time-effcient option with less wastage”Supermarket chain Waitrose & Partners is trialing the Pro-Produce pack linerless packaging for Fresh Gold Kiwisapproved linerless labels is something we ‘This is an exciting and innovative new eight-week trial and if successful, the believe will open up new opportunities pack format that delivers more plastic-free Pro-Produce pack could roll out further for delivering high speed, sustainable and packaging for our customers,’ comments within the Waitrose fruit range. For Gold cost-effective solutions to new and existing Stuart Lendrum, head of packaging at Kiwis alone, the linerless packaging format customers,’ adds Bonus. Iceland. ‘The hard work and commitment can save up to 1.2 tons of plastic.ProPrint is the latest printer to join of everyone involved has delivered this step ‘We are delighted to be testing this Ravenwood’s growing network, offering forward in moving away from plastic with new technology on our Gold Kiwi product an exclusive service to both the UK solutions that work for shoppers and the range. The trial is designed to help us and Ireland. supply chain.’ understand the packaging function within ‘We’re delighted to have ProPrint on Ravenwood supplied a Nobac 5000L our supply chain as well as the customer board with our linerless technology. The linerless applicator for applying the Fruit appetite for 100 percent curbside ProPrint team is very standards-driven, Lid labels to the packs while ProPrint recyclable card packaging where the fruit constantly striving to be the best in the Group produces the labels. If the pear is not fully visible at the time of purchase,’ market with their range of non-plastic, trial succeeds, further machines will be says Lisa Ellen Ireland, branch manager at environmentally friendly packaging purchased. Waitrose & Partners. solutions,’ says Ravenwood’s managing ‘We have worked very hard, alongside ‘The data will give us a clear director Paul Beamish. ProPrint Group on getting the design understanding of the supply chain and specifcation spot on for Iceland’s adaptations required if rolling out It all started with a pack pear fruit application,’ adds Ravenwood’s more widely, as well as insight on how ProPrint’s Linerless sales manager, Andy Beamish. ‘Not only has Iceland adopted receptive our customers are to this type Clark, who has worked in print for almost our linerless technology, but in meeting its of packaging solution.’20 years, successfully introduced many needs and requirements, we have launched The reality is that tons of plastic flm new linerless users to the market. He a completely new type of label. We look and punnets go into landfll due to a lack now works closely with the team at forward to working with Iceland again in of consumer knowledge or inadequate Ravenwood Packaging, seamlessly linking the future.’ fexible flm recycling infrastructure. print and application processes. This ensures The Pro-Produce pack linerless solution customers can apply linerless products with Pro-produce from ProPrint could help close the packaging loop. It is the utmost effciency. ProPrint Group also collaborated with composed entirely of renewably sourced Iceland, a UK frozen food retailer, is Primafruit and high-end supermarket board and paper. The lid and tray are both one of the frst customers to adopt an chain Waitrose & Partners to trial the fully recyclable in line with OPRL. entirely new linerless technology, Fruit Pro-Produce pack linerless packaging for There are signifcant changes for plastic Lid, developed by Ravenwood for trialing Fresh Gold Kiwis. use within fresh produce, including the new plastic-free packaging across its range of The Pro-Produce Pack uses UK Plastic tax, effective April 2022. conference pears. Ravenwood’s linerless labeling technology The law applies to plastic packaging The retailer aims to eliminate plastic to apply a paper lid to a cartonboard manufactured in or imported into the UK from its own-branded foods by 2023 nested tray. Packing speeds are higher that does not contain at least 30 percent and become carbon neutral by 2042, and than other potential carton-board recycled plastic. France has already banned continues to invest in technology and technologies, with the Waitrose Gold plastic packaging on a range of fruit and initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. Kiwis packed at speeds of 45ppm. The vegetables. Spain is due to implement its Its Plastic Free by 2023 pledge has already packing process also offers in-line date plastic ban in 2023.saved 850 tons of plastic by replacing black coding, making the pack an effcient and Paper labeling and carton-board options plastic trays with cardboard across street practical option for pack houses. can potentially offer alternative recyclable food ranges. The linerless packaging format is options. Most importantly, consumers can For the pears trial, Iceland has opted for available using a range of tray sizes. quickly identify the pack as recyclable a food-grade cardboard tray combined with Customers can tailor lids using shapes straightaway and conveniently recycle right a Fruit Lid linerless concept designed by and apertures to suit the product. The at the curbside.Ravenwood to achieve entirely plastic-free Ravenwood applicator can connect to and recyclable packaging. Previously, weigh price labeler for catch weight, fxed For more information go to: Iceland’s pears were hand flled into plastic weight or average weight labeling.www.proprintgroup.co.ukpoly bags and plastic punnets. Waitrose & Partners launched an labelsandlabeling.com