The company launched its Slideable label at the beginning of the year and recently partnered with Bakkavor salads, Gomez tomatoes, Monaghan Mushrooms, Mercadona cakes in Spain and Wild Oats/Fresh & Easy bakery in the US.
Brazil ban on siliconised backing paper
Paul Beamish, MD, Ravenwood Packaging, told FoodProductionDaily, its linerless labels and packaging machines are being picked up by a growing number of manufacturers in Europe and the US including Brazil where it introduced a ban on the landfill of siliconised backing paper, driving the move towards backingless labels.
“Linerless labels are attracting interest with manufacturers who are using conventional carton board sleeves for example with ready meals and further processed fresh food, where they are required to present the product well and have a lot of information to give on nutrition ingredients, and cooking suggestions,” he said.
“The Food Information Regulation (FIR) in Europe, EU Regulation 1169/2011, is legally putting larger type faces and more information on labels. An example of companies implementing these changes are Tesco ready meals packed by Kerry Foods in the UK. Others include Joseph Robertson, Hilton Meats, and St Merryn Meats to name a few.
“We have machine installations in the US at many producers including Cargill, Lus America, Maple Leaf, Perfect Fit, Uncle Charlie’s, Golden Plump and Smart Chicken.
“In Europe we have installs in Norway, Finland, Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Eire with labels being supplied to supermarkets such as Albert Heijn, Carrefour, Mecadona. We also have a presence in Russia, Poland, Australia and Japan.”
The company, which was created in 2004 by Beamish to sell, service and supply spare parts for Nobac labelling systems, is now preparing to showcase its labelling technology at Pro2Pac 2015, a food and drink packaging event in London from March 22-25.
Pro2Pac 2015
It technology includes Sparkprint Labellers, Markem Coders, Ice Coders & Sato print engines. The Nobac applicators can apply sleeves in all formats varying from C-wrap and full wraps, to packs for the chilled foods and convenience markets.
‘Slideable’ is made from thicker materials up to 300gsm, on 500mm x 200mm ‘sleeves’ that come on a roll. They slide on a pack allowing customers to see the product inside.
Beamish said the company started producing specific machines for ‘Skin Pack’ two years ago where products can be applied to fit a standard tray allowing for ‘super-protruding’ packs to include bulky items such as roasting joints.
Initially based in Norwich, UK, with its sister company Macauto, Ravenwood Packaging has now expanded its operations and moved into a purpose built facility in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
“We currently work with several meat producers in Chile supplying Walmart and the plan now is to launch our linerless labels in more countries,” he added.