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EcolabelEcolabel is SATO’s answer to the call for sustainability solutions by many of New Zealand’s leading organisations.One of the key waste reduction problems with pressure sensitive labels is the glassine backing paper or ‘liner’. Glassine is a glazed paper and is widely used due to its high strength and resistance to damage despite its thinness. The glassine liner is treated with Silicone to allow the label to be removed from the liner fully intact. The adhesive cannot absorb into the silicone to fully bond so the label can be easily removed from the liner for application. The glassine liner cannot presently be easily or cost effectively recycled and it is therefore a generator of considerable waste for New Zealand manufacturers. Replacement with Clear Polyester Lining (PET) backing is often used in high speed application environments but this imposes a cost burden that is not practical for most label applications. Having developed the recyclable label for Fonterra in 2006 SATO New Zealand has now developed a fully recyclable liner substrate for most label face stocks. The liner made out of Poly Propylene (PP) with a special coating of a unique release agent is very desirable for recyclers and has been tested by a large New Zealand recycling company to ensure its recyclability. The SATO ecolabel material uses a very thin but high strength backing film. This means SATO New Zealand can offer most labels at a similar price to glassine liner products (glassine liners were previously favoured due to their durable nature and relative low cost in the marketplace). The ecolabel outperforms glassine products in high speed application and full recyclability. Ecolabel is considered suitable for any speed application. Currently ecolabel is available to customers who are engaged in SATO’s Sustainability Partnership Program. |
