Chilled food packaging specialist Ravenwood Packaging will be turning heads at Foodex/Meatex in Hall 5, stand PO10 with examples of the very latest in drop-dead gorgeous, linerless adhesive backed labels, and the ultra-efficient, planet-friendly labelling machines and systems that apply them.
The stand continues the theme of the ‘life of trees’ and is based on a magnificently burgeoning Ravenwood set in a colourful, harlequin-styled stage set. Vibrant life and colour is starkly contrasted by dying ‘metal’ trees, surrounded by piles of used backing papers, which are dotted around the stand to highlight the very real problem of excessive packaging waste.
The company with a rapidly expanding global-reach, based in Suffolk, has now exceeded the £10m turnover in terms of the sales, servicing and supply of parts for a range of specialist packaging machines worldwide. The team of dedicated labelling specialists sells its high quality sleevers, applicators and labels to enhance the image of brand-owners’ finished products.
Ravenwood’s customers are drawn mostly from the chilled food sector, buying Nobac (no backing paper) 125, 400V, 400B, 500 and 500T sleevers but the company is already broadening its client base through the introduction of innovative new packaging ideas to include other industry sectors including drinks, healthcare, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and toiletries.
NEW on display at Foodex/Meatex will be the Nobac 125 labeller, a high speed labelling system which is introducing new customers to the linerless labelling system. Its unique linerless labels eliminate the need for wasteful, non-recyclable backing papers, and the absence of backing material means that reel changes are quicker and easier.
Also on show will be the Nobac 500T, a twin-sleever that has been added to the range to build on the need for higher speeds, less downtime and quicker product changes. The twin head enables continuous operation by virtue of the two labelling heads in line. The sleever is an inline machine designed for maximum flexibility and eliminates the need to turn the packs. The Nobac 500T is like the Nobac 500 in that it is capable of applying sleeves in five formats: top, top and side, top and two sides, C-wrap, and full wrap.
To this will be added the Nobac 400B bottle labeller which applies linerless labels to bottles. The labels are supplied in wide-edge leading format which minimises the length of material to be fed for the side application of wrap around labelling. After cutting the label from its reel it is applied to the bottle on a standard wraparound conveyor.
Also at Foodex/Meatex is the Nobac 400V variant, an applicator focused entirely on C-wrap applications. As well as c-wrapping regular shaped packs it is capable of labelling irregular packs such as whole birds. It has been designed to have control of both ends of the label in the feed system, improving positional accuracy of the label around the package. The backingless labels can be made from slightly thicker than normal material, minimizing wrinkling on application.
Packaging systems available from Ravenwood include Nobac sleevers and Trojan Applicators. These systems will also be seen on associate companies Digi (Europe) and Espera stands.
Ravenwood is now also selling the Arca Bi-Fuel Case Labeller which uses linerless self-adhesive labelling technology to create square or rectangular labels that do not require a release liner. The labels applied by these machines are ideal for all logistical uses, whether they are applied on boxes, bundles or pallets, presenting multiple advantages compared to traditional self-adhesive labels.
The move into case labelling is a significant diversification for Ravenwood.
The benefits to customers purchasing these machines are immediately apparent. A roll of linerless material contains, for an equal diameter, at least double the number of labels compared to a traditional roll of self-adhesive material. Labelling operators thus dedicate less time to changing rolls and overall system downtime is cut at least in half.
Less clearance is required, thanks to the contained thickness which translates into lower costs for packaging, shipping and storage. Above all, costs for disposing of silicone liners are totally eliminated. The absence of liners and waste for each label means that ‘linerless’ labels cost less than traditional self-adhesive labels.
Added to this the linerless material has excellent printability and thermal transfer characteristics, even at high operating speeds (250 mm/sec), using standard or resin based TT ribbons for indelible printing.
Agents and licensees are coming on stream to help with the worldwide marketing of products. Ravenwood is now represented in a network of countries across the world including the USA, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Holland, Belgium, Italy and Denmark.
For further information contact Paul Beamish on 01284 749144 or 07989 561718 or email paul@ravenwood.co.uk
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