Appealing Convenience

IN-MOULD Labelling technology is increasingly being used in the food industry to supply not only pre-labelled bottles for beverages, but also ready meals, instant desserts and other convenience foods. Convenience has become such a mega-trend that consumers are often very spoilt for choice. Since it takes only minutes for shoppers to make purchasing decisions, innovative packaging solutions should not only offer added convenience features, but also make an instant impact through appealing design and standout appearance.

IML is the use of paper or plastic labels during the manufacturing of containers by blow molding, injection molding, or thermoforming processes. The label serves as the integral part of the final product, which is then delivered as pre-decorated item.  Combining the decoration process with the moulding process cuts the total cost, whilst delivering packages with improved appearance, stain resistance and sidewall strength.

In-mould decoration is replacing traditional glue-on and pressure sensitive labels in applications that call for differentiation and brand protection. An in-mould label is embedded in the product, making it is more durable and tamper proof. Another advantage is that all four sides and even the bottom can be decorated with a single label, which is not possible in the pressure sensitive process.

Blow moulded bottles made from HDPE, PP, PETE and PVC and injection moulded open top containers can be in-mould labelled. Labels may be paper or a similar material to the moulded product. Cavitated label material, a sandwich material having a spongy layer bonded between two very thin solid layers, is also used.

Eco-friendly paper for IML

Stora Enso has succeeded in developing a speciality paper that can replace traditional in-mould film label, which will enable the industry to reduce the share of non-renewable material required for packaging produced in injection-moulding processes.

The new "InnoMould" paper combines with the plastic melt to an integral unit that is much stiffer than packaging made using a conventional film label. The higher bearing pressure of the pot permits higher stacking and the walls of the pots can be produced with up to 50% less material. That means brand owners can easily achieve a significant reduction in the percentage of non-renewable materials in their packaging.

Outstanding printing results are a further important benefit. InnoMould supports the use of high-resolution visuals and any desired number of different colours, including gold and silver. That makes it possible to achieve the kind of realistic aesthetics that are important for maximum advertising impact at the POS, especially when it comes to foodstuffs and luxury items.

The speciality paper has also successfully undergone extensive testing under real-life conditions. InnoMould is ideal for injection-moulding processes used to produce everything from pots for yoghurt and dairy products, containers for processed fish and butter and even paint buckets. This makes it an innovative labelling solution based on renewable raw materials.

Embossed elements

For the first time, Weidenhammer Plastic Packaging (WPP) has combined IML with embossed elements for the new plastic container being used gourmet foods from Appel. This packaging solution, PermaSafe, has been touted by WPP as "the reinvention of the metal can" because the contents can be sterilised in the package and is designed for a long shelf life and is extremely airtight. At the same, the package offers consumers added convenience and brings all the advantages of pKids Running Shoes