Linerless Labels: The Flexible Solution of the Future

In the final article of this series, we’ll sit down one last time with label specialists Torben Christensen and Stefan Andersen to hear their thoughts on where this technology is headed.

Stefan: “The only thing I’m hearing about in the market right now is that RFID will be the next big thing when it comes to linerless. If your production is advanced enough to include RFID, it probably means you’re also running a more costly production line.”

Stefan: “RFID is a radio technology that makes it possible to remotely read barcodes on labels. So instead of physically bringing the label to a barcode scanner, you can, for example, scan your entire inventory with a scanner mounted in the ceiling, almost in real time. Some chains, like a clothing retailer that’s quite popular in Spain, are already using the technology, and it’s working really well. It also looks like it will become part of linerless solutions, which is pretty cool.”

Environment and Economy Go Hand in Hand

Torben: “With the growing focus on waste management and reduction, it’s important to minimize waste — and that’s exactly what linerless helps achieve. It’s proven that there’s no liner to dispose of. It probably won’t become a legal requirement, but it’s definitely an angle we need to highlight when we talk about it. There’s both an economic and an environmental benefit to using linerless.”

Stefan: “That’s also what companies are being hit by in ESG reporting. Environmental impact is a KPI for most businesses. And with extended producer responsibility in Europe, waste disposal is only getting more expensive. There will be a natural desire to reduce waste because it’s becoming costly.”

Stefan: “We’re at the beginning of the market now. It’s only just starting to gain traction. The right label printers and the right media are on the market. The demand is there, but it needs to be nurtured a bit more. In many cases, where you just need to apply a label to a product or a package, it’s an obvious choice to switch quickly.”

The Market Is Ready – Are You?

There’s no doubt that automation and traceability are becoming increasingly important, and linerless labels play a central role in digital transformation. The future promises smarter integration with RFID, IoT, and cloud-based systems. Everything points to linerless not just being a trend – but a new standard.

This concludes our article series on linerless labels. We hope you’ve enjoyed following along and gained new insights into the many benefits and opportunities that linerless technology offers. If you have questions or want to learn more about how linerless can create value for your business, you’re always welcome to contact us.

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