Full wrap labelling for fish and seafood from MULTIVAC

The variety of fish and seafood products is almost endless - as is the wide range of pack types and materials. An effective impression at the point of sale can only be successful however, if the pack design is true to the product and brand, as well as being in harmony with the labelling. MULTIVAC's full wrap labelling offers an innovative solution, which makes a lasting impression in the chill cabinet.

Fish and seafood products are usually packed in skin packs, MAP trays, aluminium trays or cans. The fresh or frozen products are generally labelled with either a simple top/bottom label or alternatively a cardboard sleeve or complete carton. The cardboard sleeve encloses the product like a banderole - it is pushed over the outer edge of the pack and is completely wrapped around it like an envelope. The problem with the label approach is that the labels often do not reflect the high quality of the product. If cardboard sleeves are used however, the manual application is very time-consuming and costly.

Powerful labeller with a high level of output

MULTIVAC offers an efficient and attractive alternative with its L 310 full wrap conveyor belt labeller. This flexible model with its patented, servo-driven press-on brushes makes it possible to automatically apply a self-adhesive full wrap label on up to four sides of a pack. The maximum label width is 500 mm, and the labelling output is up to 120 packs per minute. Depending on the requirements, a wide range of thermal transfer or thermal inkjet printers can be integrated into the labeller.

The flexible L 310 full wrap conveyor belt labeller has patented, servo-driven press-on brushes that allows automatic application of a self-adhesive full wrap label on up to four sides of a pack. 

Thanks to the automated labelling process, producers and packers benefit from a high level of precision, process reliability, and above all throughput. The labeller can be equipped with a zero downtime function for even higher overall output. Optional label and print inspection ensures, that only perfectly labelled products get onto the market.

Focus on sustainability

With its wide range of suitable label materials and adhesives, MULTIVAC offers the right solution for every requirement. In addition to PP and PET labels, materials made of paper or from other renewable sources are available for selection. Consumers today are increasingly focusing their attention on recyclable and sustainable packaging concepts - particularly when it comes to natural products and high-quality foods.

“By matching the label material to the packaging material, we can ensure that the constituent parts of the pack can be separated to meet the recycling requirements. If we also use adhesives, which can be dissolved or washed off, the individual packaging components can easily be separated after use, so that they can then be directed to the particular recycling stream,” explains Michael Reffke, Product Manager at MULTIVAC Marking & Inspection.

Particularly light label material also reduces the transport weight of the packs along the entire supply chain - and this therefore improves the CO2 balance as well. “When compared with cardboard sleeves, the full wrap label can reduce the weight of the banderole by half, and even higher material savings are possible in comparison with complete cartons,” says the labelling expert Michael Reffke.

Maximum flexibility

There are also practically no limits with full wrap labelling, when it comes to application scenarios and design variants. The possibilities range from a banderole for skin packs through to a complete full wrap envelope with cut-out sections and overlapping, and right up to an allover label for tray-packed ready meals. Even where the lowest-cost material is used, this packaging concept is still highly impressive with its high-quality look and feel, since the print design, shape and type of material can be individually adapted to the product and brand.

Depending on the requirement, additional functions such as perforation, opening aids, viewing window or adhesive-free zones can be integrated into the full wrap label. The material range from MULTIVAC includes label thicknesses from 70 to 130 g/m², so that every product can be presented attractively and cost-effectively.

Added value thanks to large space for information

And last but not least, full wrap labelling offers a large area for product information and brand communication. If required, an additional label can also be applied from below to the pack on the same machine. Michael Reffke: “Full wrap labelling far exceeds the classic top/bottom labelling in every respect. It is also in no way inferior to cardboard sleeves, as well as being significantly more efficient than a complete carton.”