PET vs. Paper Liner

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Which is better, a liner made of PET or paper?

The tide is shifting and PET liners are being used more than ever for the material that our printed labels are affixed to.  While PET (polyethylene terephthalate) liners are a byproduct of fossil fuel extraction and they require slightly more energy to produce, there are many advantages to using them over paper liners.

Economy

Compared to 40# paper,  1.2M PET is 48% thinner and 92 gauge PET is 60% thinner, allowing companies to put up to 21% and 27% more feet, respectively, on each  12″ OD roll.  This then translates to less packaging and potentially less transportation cost and a smaller footprint in warehouses.

Production

PET statistically has fewer breaks than it’s cousin paper liner and it can be run on machines at faster speeds, increasing overall application machine up-time and decreasing overall time to package, which always equals a cost savings.

Environmental

Again, while the PET liners (like most plastics) are technically made from fossil fuels, they do use less water (37% less) and less trees (47% less) to produce compared to paper liners.  PET production also outputs slightly less green house gases and creates less solid waste than paper.

If you are thinking about switching liners, need pricing or guidance through the process, contact us for more information via email or phone at 262-820-8100.  As always, we can also provide samples to help you compare your options.

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Labels and Packaging Has to Be Flexible and Innovative

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As we continue to move forward through this post COVID-19 environment, pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeve labels and flexible packaging need to be flexible and innovative more than ever to deliver value results for our clients.

We are working very hard to improve our speed, flexibility and agility for our clients so they can take advantage of opportunities in the marketplace.  Whether it is improvement in personal service, project design, innovative materials and decoration options, backed by leading edge technology, our goal is to provide our clients the highest quality and most innovative label and packaging products in less time with lower overall cost and do so in a sustainable manner.

Factors we focus on to deliver innovative products with speed and agility include:

  • Color accuracy, color consistency and color monitoring are critical to ensure the best product presentation on the shelf.
  • The use of color is more important to brands than ever before. This includes using a full gamut of color and using specialty fluorescent and metallic colors, as well as innovative spot varnishes to bring impact to a package.
  • The use of innovative materials including specialty papers, metalized films, holographic films and biodegradable materials are becoming important in gaining commercialized success in the supply chain.
  • Sustainable and eco-friendly products reduce overall waste in material, time and energy. We are focusing on our carbon emissions, lowering our energy cost and finding ways to reduce, reuse or recycle materials and supplies at every step of our production process.
  • Product life cycles are shorter than ever. In 1985 the average product life cycle was 2.5 years, today that life cycle is around a half a year. Speed to market it critical within the supply chain.
  • Customers are lowering inventory levels to reduce overall costs. Traditionally, packaging was purchased 2 to 3 time within a year. Today, we help clients increase their inventory turns to 10 to 14 times a year, and lower product obsolescence.
  • Labels and packaging are moving from mass production to mass customization. Brands are increasing the number of annual product promotions.
  • Packaging has to stand out, today there are over 48,000 SKUs within a average grocery store.

Using our OmniMark Management System we are able to help client visualize art designs, materials, decoration processes such as foils, metallic inks, specialized laminates and varnishes which create unique packaging concepts to show off a product. All of these innovative ideas can be used with pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeve labels and flexible packaging products.

To find out more or get a quote on an innovative material mentioned above, give us a call!  262-820-8100 or info@lauterbachgroup.com

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Sustainable Packaging

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We believe that sustainable packaging is critical and has never been more important. We believe that container materials will continue to move from virgin plastic to alternative and sustainable materials such as fiber, glass, aluminum or post-consumer recycled plastics. These packaging trends are not a good thing, they are a great thing and is simply a necessity.

These trends do not come without challenges. These challenges include knowledge and technical ability to develop new materials and the ability to manufacture these materials in a cost effective manner. Then there is the ability to process these materials through the printing and converting process, which in some cases requires new production methods or even require package printers and converters to purchase new equipment.

The focus on new and innovative packaging materials, recycling processes and manufacturing improvement in processing, as well as new equipment are making real positive impacts on reducing total volume of packaging material into the waste streams. The ability to focus and choose packaging materials based on the impact on water, energy and solid waste disposal require commitment and innovation.

We believe that everyone wants more sustainable and green options in the market. The markets are pushing for cost effective solutions to support their sustainable and commercial goals. We believe there are four factors to focus on to drive sustainable packaging into the market:

  1. Working with the supply chain to source 100% certified reclaimed paper and plastics which are used in our paper pressure sensitive label products and single source packaging products.  It supports the closed loop economy.
  2. Find ways to divert release liner and label matrix away from the landfill, better yet – eliminate both from the supply chain, thereby reducing material cost.
  3. Continuously implement process improvement to reduce spoilage and time, which directly impacts the energy used and waste created by our company. Further, continue to examine and implement ways to use renewable sources of fuel.
  4. Work with the supply chain to find innovative packaging technology within the label, shrink sleeve label and the flexible packaging environment. These innovations should be focused on reducing the material content of the packaging and identify materials that are easily recyclable.
Heating pellets made from recycled label material

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