Label-free bottles are gaining traction among food and beverage manufacturers. For instance, in Portugal, Carvalhelhos—a company committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility—has introduced innovative PET and rPET containers devoid of plastic labels. This advancement is made possible by the EBS 8 KL ERGON stretch-blow moulder from SMI.
By removing the area designated for labels, Carvalhelhos has eliminated the ribs commonly found in conventional bottles. In its place, embossed and debossed engravings on the bottle body provide ample space for the brand logo and essential product information—traditionally displayed on a label. This method also facilitates the inclusion of braille information.
Moreover, this solution not only enhances environmental sustainability but also aligns with Carvalhelhos’ aesthetic and branding objectives. Consequently, these new bottles stand out on retail shelves, drawing consumer attention effectively.
Advantages for the Environment and the Consumer:
- Eco-friendly solution, as the PET bottle is 100% recyclable.
- Enhanced compliance with environmental regulations pertaining to recycling.
- Facilitated recycling process, since there are no labels to remove. Even when crafted from recyclable materials, labels on traditional bottles must be separated from the container during recycling.
- No requirement for glue in label application.
- Reduced packaging waste, resulting in lesser material to recycle.
Advantages for the Bottler:
- Lower costs for raw material procurement (labels and glue).
- Minimized storage expenses for raw materials.
- Simplified and optimized production process, eliminating the need for a labelling machine.
- More efficient PET recycling, as there is no need to separate the label from the container.
