Roll-fed shrink makes material moves

The Performance Polymers Division of Avery Dennison introduced Roll-Fed Shrink (RFS) label film. It is claimed that users with roll-fed application machines can now gain the shelf appeal benefits of a shrink label for contoured applications - without investing in shrink sleeve equipment. RFS film can shrink up to 40 per cent. Its clarity is claimed to be better than OPS and PVC.

RFS is a clear, reverse printed, coextruded PE and PP film. To enable the degree of shrink without an inconsistent seam, for the more highly contoured containers (12-40 per cent shrink) the company has developed a special patent pending UV adhesive. In addition to lower costs at the application site, the company points to lower costs at the converter. Seaming costs would be eliminated. RFS label film is gravure and flexo printable using solvent, water based and UV inks. During the show it was being printed with UV flexo on the Gallus 280 and 510 presses.

The Pentaprint range of label films has been extended to include an improved vinyl roll-on shrink-on (ROSO) label film. Klöckner Pentaplast claims 55 per cent shrink properties as opposed to 45 per cent when L282/41 film was first introduced last year. Available in 50 micron clear or white film it is suitable for use with quick setting solvent adhesives and gravure and flexo printing processes.

Xsys Print Solutions introduced Flexocure XS, its latest development in UV free radical technology for use on shrink sleeves with no limitation on shrink. Adhesion is claimed to be such that it does not require primers or overprint varnish. The ink is suitable for a wide range of films including PVC, OPS, OPP, PET and PETG.