Re-Sealable Labels Set To Wipe Up Market

Label printer Skanem is about to launch a aid back answer to the annoying problem of sticky labels on wet wipes packs that insist on closing themselves.

Label printer Skanem is about to launch a laid back answer to the annoying problem of sticky labels on wet wipes packs that insist on closing themselves.

The stay-open label is now undergoing final trials and will be launched later this summer.

The market for wet wipes packs - moist cloths used largely for baby care, cosmetics removal and for domestic cleaning and surface sterilisation - is growing at a rate of 30 per cent a year, according to the company.

Skanem created a centre of excellence for wet wipe labels at its Skurup Sweden, plant and then extended production to its Liverpool site to cope with anticipated demand.

Earlier versions of the re-sealable labels suffered from being easily detached from the plastic packing, making it more difficult to close to retain moisture.

Skanem said it solved this by developing an 'anchorage' system that ensured one end of the seal remained firmly fixed.

David Harrisson, pan-European sales director of the group said: "You can imagine how frustrating it is for a mother, struggling to clean a wriggling baby with one hand, finding the packet of wipes has closed itself when she is attempting to get out another cloth with her free hand.

We have now developed a label that will stay open, or will lay back, while wipes are being taken out of the pack but which re-seals easily to retain moisture within the pack.

This label is now in the final stages of testing on baby wipes by one of our largest customers and the reaction has been so positive we are expecting large orders to start flowing in." The new label has a demanding job to do.

It has to withstand opening and closing as many at 50 times and retain its ability to re-seal the pack every time.

Skanem said the new label provides a stronger and cheaper way to get a 'breaking' system on a wet wipe package to remove the frustration of unwanted self-closing.

Skanem operates plants in five countries - Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the UK.

It provides self-adhesive labels, to some of the world's largest companies and employs 1,150 people in 14 printing plants and had a 2003 turnover of 176 million Euros.

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