UPM Raflatac launches premium no-label look for beverages

UPM Raflatac is launching a thinner film product for clear labeling in beverage applications, focusing on beer bottle labeling. 

Transparent labels give packaging a premium look, as if the letters and images are printed directly on the bottle. 

Printing flexibility

RafBev Clear TC 40 label material gives a no-label look for beverage applications and design flexibility compared to printing directly onto a bottle. 

Päivi Knihti, segment manager, Films, EMEIA, UPM Raflatac, told BeverageDaily the RafBev Clear TC 40 is thinner, meaning less raw material is needed in the production, with reduced transportation costs from a lighter load, and less waste. 

Beverage bottles undergo many humidity and temperature challenges throughout their lifetime,” he said. 

RafBev Clear TC 40 is designed to maintain its appearance and performance throughout, giving a premium no-label look with more flexibility than printing directly on the bottle

It offers brands excellent shelf appeal.” 

Water resistant

Talking about the adhesive used in the process, Knihti said it replaces wet glue with a PSA (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive) feature using a RP76E adhesive for a clear-on-clear look and a PET23 HS liner. 

Because water resistance is paramount in these applications, the good water whitening performance of RP76E makes it the perfect choice,” he added. 

Additionally, the adhesive paired with the PET23 HS liner is ideal for the newest and fastest dispensing and beverage bottling lines due to its clean and stable performance.” 

Knihti said films have a big advantage over paper label faces because they retain their functionality, stability, and visual appeal even when they are exposed to humidity, water, chemicals, grease, oil, or UV light. 

To produce the material, UPM Raflatac has developed a family of Raflex films which combine the properties of polypropylene film (PP) and polyethylene film (PE) in a single material.