Unique solution stops wet uncoated labels from turning gray

UNCOATED paper facestocks that feature a matt finish can create a premium ‘look’ in bottles, but they turn gray upon contact with water. This shortcoming has prevented wine producers from using the paper for labeling.

Avery Dennison says it has developed a new technology to stop the paper from graying. The company will be presenting this new solution called at Aqua Opaque™ Labelexpo 2015. This solution is a boon to primarily wine producers, allowing them to use uncoated paper for neck labelling and for the main bottle label.

Aqua Opaque™ technology - maintains whiteness on wet uncoated wine labels

“Some uncoated papers provide a very valuable decoration option, but they can lose as much as 50% of their opacity in the presence of moisture when used with a conventional adhesive – and that makes the bottle label look grey, and with uneven coloring,” Said Andrew Crawford, vice president of marketing at Avery Dennison Materials Group Europe. “This new approach protects uncoated papers for up to 2 hours, maintaining their opaque white appearance. It’s a particularly important option for makers of white, rosé and sparkling wines where maintaining a premium brand image in the ice bucket is essential.”

The Aqua Opaque doesn’t use extra film layer or thicker paper to ensure whiteness. It uses an emulsion adhesive to retain the highest performance levels on conventional presses. The result is a label that is no stiffer than a standard label and can be applied easily to bottle necks.

Mr Crawford said that changing to the new technology is quick and simple: “It converts in the same way as a conventional emulsion adhesive, so there is no barrier to adoption. It simply replaces an existing labelling solution.”