Successful field test at PepsiCo in Rodgau
To counter that, the label manufacturer CCL has developed a new product: EcoFloat sleeves. These consist of polyolefin and therefore possess a lower density than the PET that bottles are made of. This allows the sleeve labels to be separated from the bottles in recycling systems, using the sink-float method.
In a field test conducted on a high-speed Pepsi-Co line in Rodgau, a sleeving machine from Krones has now successfully dressed 0.5- and 1.5-litre Lipton Iced Tea bottles in these recyclable EcoFloat polyolefin sleeve labels, which are applied using the following kit:
- a Sleevematic TS sleeve labeller with a Multireel S magazine for the sleeve reels,
- a Shrinkmat steam tunnel,
- two Linadry container dryers, one installed upstream of the labeller and the other one downstream of the steam tunnel.
In order to maximise both machine availability and efficiency with the EcoFloat sleeves, the Sleevematic TS has been equipped with special add-on components suitable for processing polyolefin, like specifically adapted rollers and cutting tools. It took just one day to install them, with the machine then immediately reaching top speed and maximum efficiency.
The shrink-fit quality obtained with the EcoFloat sleeves is at a high level, similar to that achieved with standard PETG sleeve labels. So the Sleevematic TS is able to process polyolefin sleeves with only minimal adjustments to its design, making it a sound investment for the future which guarantees the highest possible level of sustainability.
