The correct adhesion for your label requires careful consideration. Key factors such as the surface finish, external stresses and label function create a complex set of demands which only the right adhesive can fulfill. Take a deeper dive into the adhesive solutions we’ve developed for a range of applications or get in touch to receive expert advice.
Adhesives
Selecting the right adhesive for your label is an essential step towards its success. Whether your label needs to stick permanently, wash-off or peel-and-reseal, we have a pressure-sensitive adhesive that will meet your needs.
If the label matters, then so does the adhesive
Adhesion requirements by industry
Labels for bottled water, soft drinks and juices are often applied using a high-speed dispensing process. We offer a variety of adhesive solutions for high-speed dispensing. Our adhesives also offer additional functionalities required throughout the beverage industry, including the ability to endure high-temperatures, resist water-whitening and wet conditions, and provide good UV-stability.
Featured adhesives include:
- RP74 - Looking for a no-label look? Combine RP74 adhesive with our clear label faces and PET film liners for a no-label. This adhesive features resistance to water-whitening and good cohesion for high-speed label conversion and dispensing
- RP76 - Ideal for glass bottles and metal cans. This adhesive features excellent UV-stability, resistance to water-whitening and exceptional cohesion for high-speed label conversion and dispensing
- RC7B - A permanent adhesive that exhibits good adhesion and remains clear even when applied to wet bottles. RC7B is also temperature resistant - making it the ideal solution for pasteurization
Self-adhesive labels provide an efficient means of identification, authentication, verification of integrity, and monitoring through the supply chain. They protect consumer safety, brand value, and commercial or governmental revenues. Often, it’s the selection of either a paper-based or filmic label face that’s the starting point for adhesive selection. The choice of adhesive is determined by specific criteria such as the smoothness or roughness of the substrate, challenging small diameters, the required strength of final adhesion, and resistance to heat, chemicals and water from the immediate environment or through attempts to remove the label.
Whilst the external stressors of these products may vary widely, the core function of label is the same. Key information such as model identification, serial numbers and warnings must last the lifetime of the product. Durable labeling is therefore an end-use category where UV acrylic or catalyst activated – is most likely required. Electronics are typical examples where our adhesives demonstrate excellent durable labeling capabilities – computers, white goods, sports and fitness equipment, power tools, industrial machinery and automotive parts.
We operate in accordance with regulatory requirements worldwide, which includes the EU 2023/2006 Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) on Food Contact Materials. Our food labeling adhesives are designed to tackle a specific combination of surface types and environmental conditions. For example, requirements such as high initial tack for cold and moist surfaces are balanced with label dispensing performance so that production isn’t compromised. Our adhesives also play an important role in branding. From the basics of making sure labels stick without edge-lift, to providing lasting high clarity for the perfect look which differentiates one product from numerous others competing on the same shelf.
Featured adhesives include:
- RP37 - A multipurpose adhesive with good resistance to water, chemicals, oil and UV-light. Suitable for film labeling applications on HDPE, PP, PET, glass and metal
- RP74 - An ultra-clear permanent adhesive optimized for no-label look applications on transparent containers such as PET and glass. RP74 features excellent UV-stability and resistance to water-whitening
For household products and cosmetics an optimal balance of adhesion and cohesion is needed to provide instant fixing. Other needs are accurate label positioning, and clean and stable performance during high-speed label conversion and dispensing. Our adhesives are developed to provide good adhesion on plastics like HDPE, PP and PET, to resist water, chemicals and UV, and provide options for lasting high clarity where the ‘no-label look’ is desired.
Featured adhesives include:
- RP37 - A multipurpose adhesive with good resistance to water, chemicals, oil and UV-light. Suitable for film labeling applications on HDPE, PP, PET, glass and metal
- RP74 - An ultra-clear permanent adhesive optimized for no-label look applications on transparent containers such as PET and glass. RP74 features excellent UV-stability and resistance to water-whitening
Our label materials comply with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals and the British Standard BS5609 for self-adhesive labels intended for marine use. Our label materials, which include the adhesives, are rated for their performance in terms of dimensional stability, adhesion, artificial weathering, temperature cycling and color fastness together with exposure to marine conditions for three months.
For logistics and transport end-uses, self-adhesive labels are used for variable information printing (VIP) products which route, track and trace objects throughout the supply chain, support inventory management, and streamline operations. These labels often experience significant wear-and-tear during their relatively short lifespans. Strong adhesion is required on cardboard and PE wrapping where if the adhesive fails to perform, the goods are untraceable.
Our low migration adhesives for pharmaceutical applications are suitable for high-speed conversion, can support luminescent label detection and can resist repeated freezing in cryogenic environments. They are developed, formulated and manufactured to meet industry regulations and safety requirements, including EMA, FDA, and IPAC-RS guidelines. We guarantee long-term stability of supply, with a minimum of 36 months’ rolling availability of unchanged materials and 12 months’ notice in advance of product changes. Full documentary support is provided for validation and approvals.
We offer gummed and self-adhesive label materials for postal stamps, including soak-off and permanent adhesives.
From solutions that remove cleanly from clothing items to permanent adhesives that adhere throughout the product lifetime, we offer a wide variety of adhesives to match a range of retail labeling requirements. In most cases, general-purpose adhesives are enough, however for applications choose from extra-removable, temperature-resistant adhesives.
Tire labeling presents a real challenge. The roughness of the surface and the uneven tire profile significantly limit the contact area between tire and label, so very aggressive adhesion is immediately required upon contact. Tires are normally labelled at room temperature, but following that, storage conditions may vary, meaning the adhesive must maintain its properties in high and low temperatures. Additionally, the adhesive must withstand the transference of chemical components from the rubber and any wax or silicone-based chemicals often used as mould-release agents during the tire manufacturing process.
All our adhesive solutions for wet wipes deliver proven, reliable open-closure, time after time. Choose between adhesives that offer different peel strengths, smooth and zippy opening, and different sustainable options to match your adhesive requirements.
No matter how well selected, designed and printed the label is, the correct adhesive provides a vital foundation for stunning visual results. While glass is a relatively straightforward surface for good adhesion, factors such as surface treatments, bottle contours and the product life cycle can present challenges. Bottles may be cold and moist during label application, but temperature and humidity will fluctuate during transportation and storage. Extended refrigeration and ice bucket conditions are also factors. And with clear film materials supporting the popular ‘no-label look’ it’s vital that the adhesive remains clear during the life of the bottle. Our wine, spirit and craft beverage adhesives perform to the most demanding technical requirements, so that brands perform to the highest expectations.
Ready to order?
We sell rolls and sheets to label printers worldwide. Find out how to order our label materials below.
Not a printer? Our face materials, adhesives and liners are selected to match your brand's labeling needs before being assembled into label products. Talk to our experts to receive tailored advice on the right combination of label materials for you. We can also help by recommending these materials to your printer.