LabelExpo: Strong demand for multi-layer products

Press reports Self-adhesive Materials

14. October 2011

• Innovative multi-layer technology enabled HERMA to attract much higher visitor numbers, establish more high-quality new contacts, and respond to numerous concrete project inquiries.
• Among the key products generating especially strong interest were its low-migration adhesive, label paper for printing with CO2 lasers, and an adhesive applied to labels for sealing wet wipe pouches.

HERMAperfect, the innovative multi-layer technology, was a hot topic among international trade visitors to the LabelExpo 2011 fair. "The event gave us the opportunity to deliver a compelling demonstration of the technology’s potential," says Dr. Thomas Baumgärtner, managing director of self-adhesive materials specialist HERMA. "The large number of visitors to our booth and the countless inquires and requests for information – many of them very detailed – clearly indicate that the market has been eagerly awaiting the solutions arising from this technology. Further evidence was provided by the disproportionate number of international visitors, the large volume of new high-quality leads, and the projects that were discussed in Brussels." HERMAperfect technology enables HERMA to apply two different layers of adhesive simultaneously. It adds value to the already proven, high-performance and multi-purpose adhesives. "The label producers who are our customers can significantly reduce their stocks of speciality materials and therefore cut costs," explains Dr. Baumgärtner.

The manufacture of low-migration labels is being made simpler by HERMAperfectStick (code 62Dps), which was making its debut at LabelExpo 2011. It is a refined variant of the standard adhesive 62D that has been enjoying success for many years. The innovative multi-layer structure of the HERMAperfectStick adhesive effectively reduces the migration of its constituents. The German test institute ISEGA has verified this capability and approved the adhesive for contact with fatty foodstuffs (reduction factor 3). "And the LabelExpo once again underlined the current significance of low-migration food labelling," comments the managing director.

Dr. Baumgärtner attributes HERMA's popularity among visitors to other new products as well, including HERMA LAM and the new 42C adhesive, "Visitors from abroad in particular had their first opportunity to see these adhesives in the flesh and put them through their paces." HERMA LAM is a specially developed label paper for contactless printing with a CO₂ laser (black colour change). Thanks to its protective coating, this material is suitable for all applications that call for labels with a non-smudge and scratchproof inscription that also resists oil and grease. "Given that CO₂ laser printing is an extremely low-maintenance operation and does not require any consumables," remarks the managing director, "it represents a highly efficient labelling solution." HERMA also impressed trade fair visitors with its new 42C adhesive. Conceived specifically for the labels that seal wet wipe pouches, it is characterised by especially consistent, smooth and silent peeling in conjunction with most plastic and film surfaces. "At first glance, this may look like a niche product, but the wet wipes market has expanded exponentially in recent years," insists Dr. Baumgärtner. "Label manufacturers are actively looking for innovative solutions in this segment.“