Solutions for requirements arising from the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will be the focus of HERMA's presentation at Logimat in Stuttgart, Germany (Hall 2, Stand 2D18). For the first time, this EU regulation sets and formulates tough reduction targets for packaging waste for EU member states: By 2030, its per capita volume is to be reduced by five percent – compared to the base year of 2018. However, in line with the increases that have occurred in the meantime, it is currently expected that a 19 percent reduction will be necessary. The PPWR is primarily and directly aimed at packaging and its sustainability. "But e-commerce, for example, is under indirect pressure to act independently," stresses Marcus Gablowski, Chief Sustainability Officer at HERMA. "In this case, packaging waste will most likely also include the backing material for shipping labels. And anyone who manages to dispense with the backing material will already have taken a huge step to support the goals of the PPWR." With the HERMA InNo-Liner label material, this is already possible today. Because it is designed to meet the performance and speed requirements of logistics centres. Since it is initially non-sticky and the adhesive is only activated at the moment that the label is dispensed, it also avoids some disadvantages of siliconised linerless solutions. The InNo-Liner material has already received multiple packaging awards. "We have also finally received the patent for this innovation in the initial countries," says Marcus Gablowski. "In addition to the successes already achieved, this gives us the assurance for the next marketing stage. Other providers of labelling solutions are now also interested in this unique adhesive material – this should give the demand a significant push overall."
The challenges that labels can overcome
In addition, HERMA will also use a wide range of label solutions to demonstrate how to meet the key challenges of the PPWR: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover. The specialist in packaging and product labelling offers solutions for all four areas. For example, the Thin Range comes to the fore for the "Reduce" aspect. These include particularly lightweight labels that not only save on resources, but also costs. A wide array of paper and film label types cover the most common labelling applications. In addition, HERMA will present the latest wash-off solutions for labels for the aspects of "Reuse" and "Recycle", for example for the permanent labelling of reusable containers or for use on plastic bottles and containers from which clean recycled material is to be recovered. Using packaging materials again at least in a meaningful way ("Recover") is the aim of compostability. HERMA will present labels in this respect that are certified for both garden and industrial composting.
Complete labelling line installed for live demos
It is precisely because labels offer the opportunity to efficiently fulfil the PPWR requirements that it will become even more important in the future to apply them extremely reliably and precisely. "At Logimat, we will demonstrate how HERMA can offer the right solution for every application on the basis of a complete labelling line. Our modular label applicators create the ideal conditions for this," says Philipp Ott, Sales Manager for the Labelling Machines Division at HERMA. The HERMA eco, with which HERMA is redefining the benchmark for cost-effective entry into leading labelling technology, can be experienced live for the first time at a Logimat. For a wide range of standard applications, it combines outstanding cost-effectiveness and high-quality equipment with unusually high design and processing quality in this segment. However, the HERMA 500 label applicator remains unrivalled in terms of performance, ease of use and, above all, flexibility. It can cover every speed, every installation situation and every label width. The base unit and user guidance are always the same. This standardisation always means optimum availability, short delivery times, consistent integration processes, maximum reliability and consequently extremely satisfied users. It can also be easily fitted with a common thermal transfer printer for printing variable data, especially for logistics applications. Finally, the HERMA Print & Apply systems are also of great importance for logistical tasks. The components used in these systems, such as the print unit, dispenser unit and winder, can be positioned in any orientation and offer many options for the integration into existing production lines. The proven standard components of the modular HERMA system, which are also used in high-performance labelling systems, guarantee reliable application of the labels and, if necessary, a straightforward modification without the need for a new investment.
