PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2016

LABELLING 59 PET planet Insider Vol. 17 No. 10/16 www.petpla.net the 200ml and 250ml bottles very popular. With labels coming in pink and many other cartoon colours, PET bottles are becoming progres- sively more attractive to children and are seen more and more often in their lunch boxes. Indeed, it is the children’s market where the effectiveness of labels in sales, marketing and promotion is most obvious. The availability of cheaper labelling technology also helps broader adoption. For exam- ple, premium water brands such as Sparkle Water and Flavoured Water have, for a long time, used self- adhesive labels. When compared to ordinary bottle packaging, self- adhesive labels and their application machinery cost five times as much. They have been able to survive primarily because of goodwill and a large existing market share in the beverages sector. However, as pointed out earlier, PET cups sealed with aluminium foil – the dominant product for many years – are on their way out. As a result of wider adoption of PET bottles, the use of OPP (oriented polypropylene film) and PVC labels has increased by several multiples. They are more receptive to attractive graphics than is aluminium foil. The most convenient labels for juices and premium drinks are the shrink sleeves, which facilitate the use of the entire circumference and length of the label for graphics and with more text, in higher resolution. The printing of cartoon char- acters and their long lasting value during dis- play in shelves are the key elements in attract- ing customers, children especially. ENPI Group has the capability to print in Flexo at 200 lpi (lines per inch) resolution, as well as gravure. Flexo can be used for small quantities; depending on bottle shape, the material can be PVC or PET. For soft drinks, energy liquids and water, shrink sleeves labels are quite expensive; OPP labels, on the other hand, are quite economical for this category. Price is a key compo- nent for any product; the main dif- ference between shrink sleeves and OPP wraparound labels is that in the case of shrink sleeves, the mate- rial is expensive but the applicator is not, and it is the other way round in the case of OPP wraparound. The choice of label will depend on the product, the bottle concept, price and other factors, but clients can be assured that both options are avail- able. Clean and clear packaging A radical change to beverage labels has been the greater use of clean and clear packag- ing. Any information that is clear and not lengthy will always be welcomed by the customer. Clear and transparent labels have been well received, both in OPP and shrink sleeve form. See-through packaging can boost sales, whether totally transparent or with see-through windows. Companies that are transparent about their ingredients, sourcing and business practices are reaping the benefits of consumer goodwill and trust. Transparency in the food and beverages sector is a key element for the consumer to be drawn towards the product through the package. See-through packag- ing has now entered all segments of beverages, including water. www.futurepack.ae www.stf-group.de ENGINEERING WITH THE COMPETENCE OF THE RECYCLER r Complete Plastic Sorting and Washing Lines engineered by Europe’s largest PET Recycler r Bottle-to-Bottle rPET Recycling r More than 60 PET Recycling Lines installed worldwide www.stf-group.de Booth 12 / F56