Sealed Air eliminates ‘smiles’ and ‘frowns’ with new shrink sleeve labels

Chicago, IL - While shrink labels are gaining popularity among brand owners due to "head-to-toe" coverage, a wrinkle on the package is enough to make anyone frown.

In an effort to eliminate wrinkles when it comes to packaging, Sealed Air introduced its Cryovac GT-1 shrink sleeve labels, a hybrid film that uses multilayer technology to enhance performance and sustainability in today's shrink sleeve applications.

Launched at Pack Expo 2012 (October 28-31; McCormick Place, Chicago), the Cryovac GT-1 shrink sleeve labels' proprietary multi-layer formulation incorporates polymers in a combination that Sealed Air says delivers the same benefits of a monolayer film, without associated drawbacks such as label brittleness, fracturing, smiles or scuffing.

'Smiles' and 'frowns' refer to a distorted label appearance that can occur when a sleeve is shrunk onto a container.

Scott Keefauver, marketing manager for Sealed Air shrink packaging, told PlasticsToday that the unique film from Sealed Air achieves machine direction expansion of 3%, which helps sleeves maintain a more consistent presentation.

"It's free of the distortions caused by 'smiles' and 'frowns,'" he said. "We launched the GT-1 at the beginning of the show, and we've received a lot of inquiries about it."

The product features early shrink initiation and overall high shrink for a tight, secure fit.

Keefauver said the multi-layer construction results in a lower density material that enables converters to produce up to 20% more shrink sleeve labels per pound of film compared to existing shrink sleeve label materials.

The outermost polymer layer consists of polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PET-G). Changeover to the product is seamless for converters already running shrink sleeve operations, as Cryovac GT-1 shrink sleeve labels are reportedly compatible with existing equipment and there is no need for special storage conditions for the raw film.

Sealed Air touts that this multilayer technology offers an 18% yield improvement and lower density as compared to monolayer PETG and PVC films. This film does not crinkle or make noise when applied to a squeeze application or multi-pack bundle, Keefauver said.

Applications for Cryovac GT-1 shrink sleeve labels include full body beverage labels to pharmaceutical tamper bands to health and beauty product multi-packs.

The company is anticipating a customer application before the end of this year.