Herma has introduced Linerless Plus (400), a linerless label material using the multi-layer pressure-sensitive adhesive 62Dps for the first time in this product range, expanding options for reducing waste and disposal costs in labelling applications. The multi-layer structure is designed to enable adhesion and optimized further processing without the compromises often required in the past between these properties, which have historically come at the expense of process reliability.
“Conventional linerless materials often feature adhesive-free zones to prevent both the dreaded ‘adhesive bleed’ and rapid adhesive build up on machines during roll converting and label cutting,” said Markus Mateescu, head of silicone development at Herma. As a result, linerless solutions were previously limited in applications requiring high adhesive strength. The two-layer adhesive structure of the 62Dps pressure-sensitive adhesive is said to prevent this bleeding. “Because the adhesive can be applied over the entire surface without any adhesive-free zones, labels made with this adhesive adhere particularly well,” Mateescu said, adding that this is important in challenging applications such as logistics and dispatch processes, where rough cardboard surfaces, friction, or mechanical stresses occur. The 62Dps is also said to offer high initial and final adhesion, along with reliable performance at low temperatures, according to the company.
The combination of Herma Linerless Plus and the 62Dps pressure-sensitive adhesive is intended to improve adhesion properties and process reliability. The company states that the absence of adhesive-free zones also allows greater flexibility in the design and layout of the rolls, removing the need for time-consuming pre-definition of adhesive-free areas. The multi-layer pressure-sensitive adhesive is also said to allow for longer cleaning intervals for linerless printers, as cutting mechanisms become less contaminated.
Following the launch of Herma InNo-Liner, in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive is activated only immediately before labeling and therefore does not require siliconization of the label surface, Herma states that Linerless Plus (400) addresses a further gap in the market. “The new material was developed specifically as a solution for applications where conventional linerless designs using hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives do not deliver satisfactory results,” Mateescu said. Labels made from HERMA Linerless Plus (400) can be used in standard linerless label printers on the market, the company said, meaning the switch can be made without additional investment.
The 62Dps pressure-sensitive adhesive has been used on the market for several years, and its properties are described by the company as well documented, allowing users to adopt the material without repeating extensive adhesion testing. The adhesive is also said to offer resistance to ageing, heat, and light.
According to Herma, the market-proven 62Dps gives linerless labels a further advantage, including greater cost-effectiveness compared with conventional labels, as there are no disposal costs for siliconized backing material – a factor the company describes as significant in high-volume turnover areas such as logistics. “Linerless labels also play an important role in effectively helping to conserve resources and prevent waste. Both are key objectives of the EU’s new Packaging Regulation, or PPWR for short,” Mateescu said. “Against this backdrop, Herma Linerless Plus, in combination with the 62Dps pressure-sensitive adhesive, opens up new and more sustainable applications for linerless labels.”
Herma Linerless Plus (400) is coated on a 1,000 mm web width and is available with a minimum order quantity of 2,000 square meters.