Etiket Schiller’s eco-conscious labels enable fully compostable packaging across multiple sectors

07 Jun 2018 --- German label manufacturer, Etiket Schiller, has introduced compostable and biodegradable cellulosic labels made from renewable raw materials to the market. The labels are fully compostable thus enabling brand owners to add the labels to compostable packaging and create a 100 percent eco-conscious product package.

With a wide range of sustainable products, Eitiket Schiller s responding to the growing demand for environmentally friendly packaging. The label material and the adhesive are biodegradable and compostable and carry the "OK Compost" certificate in accordance with EU Regulation EN 13432.

“At Etiket Schiller we do as much as we can to improve the environmental sustainability of our packaging,” Gunther Schiller, Managing Director at Etiket Schiller tells FoodIngredientsFirst. “Our environmentally-friendly labels are part of our comprehensive sustainability concept that is reflected in the company’s philosophy.”

“The labels are made from processed face stock which is produced from wood pulp sourced from managed plantations. The labels can be used for all kinds of applications, but is specifically suited for applications where the complete packaging should be biodegradable and where direct food contact is required,” he adds.

The compostable self-adhesive labels are approved for contact with dry, non-fatty foods and can be glued directly to fruit or vegetables. With special, likewise compostable adhesives, they are glued to paper packaging or biodegradable films.

Etiket Schiller’s labels can also be used in the packaging of health products or organic cosmetics. The labels are suitable for high-quality outer packaging, but due to the high cellulose content only to a limited extent for long-term use in humid environments.

In order for a complete package to be returned to nature, all components (packaging material, label film and adhesive) must be compostable. Etiket Schiller advises customers extensively and develops individual labeling solutions for the respective application - even for runs of 500 pieces or more.

“The labels are already available on the market and there is a great demand among our customers,” says Schiller. “At Etiket Schiller we provide comprehensive advice to customers from all industries and offer tailor-made application solutions using the compostable labels.”

The white or transparent outer material of the compostable labels consists of cellulose (wood pulp) from controlled plantings. It can be disposed of in the bin or compost after use. For direct food contact, Etiket Schiller uses FDA 175.105 approved adhesives and low migration inks in line with the European Food Directive. For compostable packaging, an acrylate-based adhesive with "OK Compost" certificate is used. If necessary, the label materials can be subsequently printed with a thermal transfer printer.

The popularity of biodegradable packaging is on the rise. Innova Market Insights reports a 40 percent increase in new food and beverage products packaged in bio-based/biodegradable material (CAGR 2013-2017). Meanwhile, a survey found that more than 35 percent of German consumers, 25 percent of UK consumers and more than 25 percent of US consumers consider bio-based and/or biodegradable/compostable packaging important in food and beverage choice (Innova Market Insights, 2015).

Innovations in biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions continue to increase and diversify. Click here to read more.

By Joshua Poole