"We're very focused on sustainability, of course trying to make our products as harmless as possible to the environment: on the one hand, using natural, degradable materials, and on the other hand, we are committed to using labels that are easy to recycle," explains Franz Lindner from the firm Clever Etiketten GmbH in Hosena. The company manufactures labels for various industries. For the trade in fresh fruit and vegetables, Clever Etiketten GmbH currently produces labels that can be applied to all kinds of packaging, but it also produces stickers that are glued directly onto the fruit, as it is already seen on apples.
To further promote sustainability in the industry, the Clever Group is positioning itself in the market with labels made from a variety of materials; from 'classic', recyclable PE and PP labels, to grass paper and stone paper, to a potato starch material. "These are innovative materials which have to right properties to be able to replace conventional paper and even plastics, as an ecological alternative for many applications." Paper made of stone is a sustainably produced substitution product," explains Lindner. "We are experimenting with many different materials, but the least we can do is make the packaging and the labels of the same material, in order to make recycling easier."
New types of packaging and labeling pose new challenges for the industry: "We are currently testing the potato starch material very intensively, but the challenge here is pressure as well as the products this can be used for, as the label dissolves very easily. As of yet it can only be used for fruit or vegetables that are dry packed and stored." Sweet potatoes, for example, are not suitable since they are often not completely dried after cleaning, just before the label is applied. The solubility in water is, of course, a great advantage of this labelling option, in terms of waste production.
Compostable materials that can be disposed of with food waste are also very popular. "In order to further expand our range of sustainable labels, we are doing a great deal of research in this area and are also working with the raw material manufacturers to develop the best solutions for our customers."
"We want to pass on our products with a clear conscience, and for that they have to be sustainable." To achieve this goal, the company also sees itself to have an advisory function: "Ultimately, it is up to our customers and the consumers to do what they will with our labels, but we want to provide advice and support."
CLEVER Etiketten was founded in Hosena in 1992 and today it is one of the leading suppliers of industrial marking technology. The labels of the company are FSC certified and migration-free inks are used for printing. There is also a solar concept for internal energy use. The company's products are suitable for -among others- food, beverage, automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textile, logistics and retail products.
For more information:
Franz Lindner
CLEVER ETIKETTEN GmbH
Industriegebiet
Schwarzbacher Straße 1
D-01996 Hosena
Tel.: +49 (0) 35756 647-0
Web: www.clever-etiketten.com
E-Mail: info@clever-etiketten.com