Cut & stack labeling revolution

Three Brown University graduates established NuLabel Technologies in 2009 after collectively addressing the issue of self-adhesive label release liner waste and costs in an engineering capstone project.

At the time, CTO and co-founder Ben Lux was working on his PhD in polymer chemistry, leaving school with his Master’s to direct the chemistry development at NuLabel. Today the company has over 30 scientists, engineers, and technicians working in harmony to advance activatable adhesive technology in East Providence, Rhode Island.

NuLabel has developed, tested and is ready to launch its unique adhesive solution that eliminates cold glue and PS adhesive when sticking labels to containers using either upgrades to existing labeling equipment or dedicated new applicators. The target category for NuLabel’s adhesive development is prime label food and beverage labels, particularly microbreweries, a sector experiencing explosive growth at the moment.

Explains Max Winograd, co-founder, president and CEO, ‘We are entering the category as a third choice. NuLabel is the next evolution in packaging offering a lower cost per label coupled with many PS benefits. In the past, label users had been forced to choose between cost effective, but messy cold glue labels, and more expensive self-adhesive labels.’

NuLabel’s prime label adhesive is water-based chemistry that is pre-coated onto the back side of conventional label substrates and dried completely. The dry adhesive is activated by a water-based, glue-free spray, which is applied to the label just before it is adhered to the glass container. NuLabel’s prime label adhesive is available today on one-side coated, uncoated, metalized, and wet strength paper stocks.

The adhesive is specifically engineered for food and beverage applications with faster time to tear when compared to wet glue, and is safe for indirect food contact. The technology performs well during ice bucket durability tests and saves time and energy when caustic removal is required, for example, in municipalities with returnable glass bottle systems.

The activatable adhesive system removes release liner and wet glue from the labeling equation. NuLabel’s patented vacuum transport system replaces the traditional glue pallet with a vacuum pallet. The vacuum pallet carries the label from the stack to the bottle for application. The system provides flexibility with label shapes and allows for knockouts in a cut & stack format without the need for costly change parts that force downtime. Additionally, it eliminates expensive wear items like glue rollers, lengthy clean-up times and excessive water consumption to clean the machine.