Leading European packaging company Coveris invests over £1.5M to expand its linerless label manufacturing capabilities. With investment in wide web printing presses and site infrastructure developments, Coveris’ dedicated linerless label facility in Spalding, Lincolnshire (UK) expands its production capacity, continues to strive for best-in-class quality print, and aims for improved manufacturing efficiencies to support its sustainability strategy: No Waste.

Coveris Spalding, the largest global producer of linerless labels, has invested over £1.5M in flexographic wide web presses featuring the latest print technologies, coupled with further site infrastructure improvements. Already manufacturing over one billion linerless labels each year for UK and European FMCG sectors, this investment delivers increased output and supports the Lincolnshire-based facility’s growth plans in existing and diversified markets.

Installed in a staggered programme, two new MPS flexographic presses have been installed at Coveris Spalding, becoming operational in September and November 2022. Capable of printing Coveris’ core linerless formats Slidewrap™, c-wrap, envelope, labels for produce punnets and contour-fitted formats for skinpack solutions, the new equipment offers 10 colour flexographic print including decorative cold foil embellishment. With 100% web inspection capabilities, the investment enables improved quality, colour management and consistency, resulting in the added benefit of reduced waste.

Further aligned with Coveris’ sustainability strategy No Waste, the MPS presses are more energy efficient and feature E-Sleeve technology for enhanced accuracy, improved set-up speeds and reduction in production waste.

A sustainable solution, linerless labels are haracterized by their non-utilisation of carrier backing paper meaning reel weight is significantly reduced by up to 40% compared to self-adhesive alternatives, allowing more labels per reel, less waste and fewer changeovers. With decorative print embellishment and the option of apertures, Coveris’ premium envelope and Slidewrap™ linerless formats also provide a reduced weight alternative to cartonboard sleeves for brands looking to downgauge their packaging whilst maintaining a luxury point-of-sale appearance. Coveris’ linerless label formats, supported by the use of approved materials to ensure consistent quality and application, are developed for use with equipment by machinery partner Ravenwood Packaging.

Nigel Hewitt, Coveris’ BU Paper Sales Director comments: “The addition of unique wide web capabilities in our world-leading, dedicated linerless labels facility is a significant investment. We aim to stay at the forefront of linerless technologies, innovation and quality alongside a sustainable operational model. With this investment, our customers benefit from improved linerless capacity and the newest print technologies, whilst we are also targeting accelerated growth outside of our core meat, fish, poultry and convenience markets.”