Avery Dennison Meets Customer Demand for Thinner Materials and Enhanced Performance with ThinStream

The launch of ThinStream addresses the needs of consumer packaging companies to improve their operating efficiency and create more sustainable packaging.

Sep 20 2010 --- Avery Dennison launched ThinStream, which combines an ultra-thin PET liner material with patented machine technology to enable production of a liner only 12 microns thick, or half the thickness of a human hair. With a thinner profile ThinStream yields 17 percent more labels per roll and reduces liner waste.

"Less waste, increased productivity and improved cost containment have long been the drivers behind ultra-thin facestock and liner development," said Niall Moloney, Avery Dennison's business development director for ThinStream. "The launch of ThinStream addresses the needs of consumer packaging companies to improve their operating efficiency and create more sustainable packaging."

The PET liner material has a caliper of 12-micron/0.48 mil, which is approximately 50 percent thinner than the lowest caliper 24-micron/0.92 mil material used with conventional die-cutting technology. The modular equipment used with the liner material can operate as a stand-alone unit or be added to an existing press line without altering the production layout.

The ThinStream die-cutting technology employs a delam/relam process, a unique web control system, and chilled dies, so the liner is never touched. It can die-cut labels at high speeds with excellent quality and registration control. The ThinStream die-cutting head eliminates die strikes and web breaks for uninterrupted productivity.