Avery Dennison launches Fasson Wash-off labels

Avery Dennison has introduced a new portfolio of Fasson Wash-off labels aimed at helping brand owners reduce the environmental impact of their products by maximizing opportunities for material recycling.

The labels offer converters an alternative for any existing wet-glue product. They are suitable for body and neck labeling of both light and dark containers, as well as bottled water in glass and large containers of juices and smoothies in recyclable PET bottles.

Wash-off labels have a multi-layer construction consisting of a polypropylene film, PET liner and a proprietary wash-off adhesive. The adhesive is formulated for the easy removal of labels when washed in industrial brewery washers. They wash off from 65 deg C, allowing for lower washer temperatures than the current average of 80 deg C.

With returnable glass bottles, the two film layers expand at different rates in a hot washer causing the label to curl for easy removal. The adhesive and inks remain on the label so it washes off without contaminating the water in the washer. No label marks (or ‘ghosting’) are left on the bottle.

When Wash-off labels are used in combination with PET bottles, the high quality PET is suitable for bottle-to-bottle recycling. After use, PET bottles and their labels are shredded, before the resulting mixture is soaked in a hot alkaline solution. The label material then separates from the PET chips, due to a difference in density. During this part of the recycling process, the washable adhesive stays with the shredded label flakes. This allows 100 percent recycling of the PET material, claims the company.

Developed for ‘no-label look’ decoration of returnable beer bottles, the wash-off labels are designed to enhance the brand image of premium beers and support complex label shapes. They are said to have excellent performance in tropical and hot environments and are resistant to UV.

Jon Maley, vice president, marketing at Avery Dennison materials group, said: ‘Our responsibility as a producer of wash-off labels extends far beyond our portion of the value chain. We work closely with our customers to develop solutions that reduce the environmental impact of the products we collectively manufacture and consume. Maximizing recycling is a great way to do that for beverage applications.’

Pictured: Avery Dennison has introduced new portfolio of wash-off labels for glass and PET bottles

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