Linerless Labels Market- Global Size & Upcoming Industry Trends

Linerless Labels Market Overview

Linerless Labels Market Size Was Valued at USD 2.34 Billion In 2023 And Is Projected to Reach USD 3.22 Billion By 2032, Growing at A CAGR of 3.6% From 2024-2032.

Labels that do not have a release liner and are sensitive to pressure are called Linerless labels. The labels are wrapped on a roll having release coating applied to the front of the facestock. This avoids the adhesive, applied to the underside of the facestock, from sticking to the label below it on the roll. Moreover, a product may have multiple labels such as bottom ingredients labels, a face label, and additional store labels depending on the manufacturer. These labels provide information about what is being purchased to the customer and get plastered all over a package randomly. Furthermore, by utilizing linerless labels, more of the product can shine through the packaging and can assure the consumer that a product is fresh and healthy for consumption.

Nowadays, labels are no longer restricted to the top and bottom of the package. In addition, products can be entirely wrapped with labels to create a 360° brand that can attract customers. With the advent of linerless labels, manufacturers can easily print on both sides of the label (reverse-side printing), which enhances the brand's ability to connect to a wide range of consumers. Labels on food packages play an important role in providing information about the product to the consumer. With growing advancement in technologies, linerless labels having vibrant colors and high-end graphics are available in the market for packaging of food products. Unlike other traditional labels, linerless labels adhere to themselves. The silicone coating present on linerless labels acts as an adhesive. Linerless labels stick to themselves until the user applies them to the desired product thus, driving the development of the market during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics And Key Factors In Linerless Labels Market

Drivers:

One of the qualities of linerless labels that enhances the label's overall performance is the release coating applied to the face of the label. Moreover, the release coating utilized in the manufacturing of linerless labels not only prevents adhesive from sticking to the face beneath it but also functions as a protective coating for moisture, UV, and chemical resistance, increasing the label's longevity. Furthermore, release coating and adhesive are applied after the label has been printed thus, allowing the manufacturer to print the label on both sides. Linerless labels have helped in decreasing silicone waste sent to landfills or recycling streams. Additionally, the silicone waste generated due to traditional labels is eliminated by the incorporation of linerless labels thus, supporting the expansion of the linerless labels market during the forecast period.   

The growing demand from the pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industry for robust packaging options has positively impacted the growth of linerless labels. Moreover, the busy lifestyle of consumers coupled with the lower interest of individuals to cook food, have stimulated the high consumption of ready-to-eat foods thus, propelling the growth of the market in the forecast period. The growing usage of linerless labels has significantly reduced the amount of label waste. Additionally, it has also decreased freight, and storage costs, paper consumption, and the cost of waste disposal. Furthermore, linerless labels have considerably decreased the number of roll changes required during production. In addition, the inventory space required for the storage is also reduced as more labels are on a roll thus increasing the demand for linerless labels.  

Restraints:

Linerless labels come in only two shapes, square or rectangular. The limited options in the shapes of linerless labels are considered a drawback to prospective end-users thus, hampering the growth of the market in the forecast period. Moreover, in several situations to apply labels on products, additional equipment is needed. Linerless labels are more expensive than traditional labels, and the user will require a special printer that can satisfactorily print linerless labels over a silicone roller. Moreover, applying labels on certain materials is unsuitable. The high cost involved in the maintenance of printers required for printing linerless labels is hindering the expansion of the market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the additional cost of new hardware investments included with linerless technology and the stringent government regulations regarding the safety, durability, and sustainability of labels may restrain the production of linerless labels in the forecast period.

Opportunities:

The rise in the demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable linerless labels for packaging of food and beverages products and the increasing demand for sustainable labels for logistic applications such as shipping and transportation is creating profitable opportunities for the market players involved in the production of linerless labels. The pharmaceutical industry has also adopted the usage of linerless labels for packaging medicines in tablet form and printing syrups bottles. The growing pharmaceutical and personal care industry and their growing demand for cost-effective labels are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players.

Market Segmentation

Segmentation Analysis of Linerless Labels Market:

Depending on printing technology, the digital printing segment is anticipated to have the highest share of the linerless labels market during the forecast period. Variable data printing and custom-made production quality of digital printing is the main factor driving the growth of this segment.  Digital printing does not require knowledge of blending ink or prepress. Moreover, full-color print is done in a single process, and also quick delivery is achieved by digital printing thus, supporting the development of this segment. 

Depending on the product, the variable information print segment is expected to have the highest share of the market in the forecast period. Variable information printing allows organizations to customize and personalize their labels through digital printing. In 2013, Coca-Cola initiated a campaign in which they printed nearly about 800 million customized bottle labels having 10000 names in 10 different languages and five alphabets. Moreover, to design several variations in the same label, businesses don't need to change plates as the information to be printed is stored digitally, so the press is programmed accordingly to create a range of labels in the same run without stopping the press. In addition, variable linerless labels are printed faster and are economically favorable thus, stimulating the expansion of this segment. 

Depending on ink type, the UV curable ink segment is forecasted to lead the linerless labels market during the forecast period. The UV curable inkjet technology can print on a wide range of substrates having unique strength and adhesive qualities. Moreover, multiple short prints run having variable data and in-line finishing can be produced cost-effectively. Labels having vibrant colors and are resistant to chemicals, moisture, and light are developed by UV curable inkjets. Linerless labels produced utilizing UV curable ink is resistant to rub and scratch-resistant.

Depending on end-users, the food and beverages industry is predicted to dominate the linerless labels market during the forecast period. The busy working schedule has compelled individuals to adopt ready-to-eat food products thus strengthening the growth of this segment. Moreover, linerless labels are widely used in the packaging of seafood, fresh food, meat, fish, fresh produce, poultry, and ready meals. Linerless labels display the information of food products such as nutritional values, manufacturing, and expiry date to the consumer. The growing popularity of branded products is propelling the demand for linerless labels in the food sector.  

Regional Analysis of Linerless Labels Market:

The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to lead the linerless labels market growth in the forecast period. The growing number of pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries is the main factor driving the expansion of linerless labels market growth in this region. The penetration of the e-commerce industry coupled with the growing trend of purchasing goods online and the changing lifestyle are vital factors supporting the growth of the market in this region. Moreover, countries like China, India, Japan, Australia, and Indonesia are prominent contributors to the Asia-Pacific market.

The North American region is expected to show a positive growth rate in the forecast period owing to the presence of prominent companies involved in the production of linerless labels. The demand for durable labels and the growing environmental concern is the main factor helping the market growth in this region.

The European region is forecasted to grow at a significant growth rate during the forecast period attributed to the growing awareness about the waste generated by the traditional applications of labels. The stringent government regulations supporting the growth of eco-friendly linerless labels and technological advancements in producing cost-effective linerless labels are strengthening the market establishment in this region.  

Players Covered in Linerless Labels Market are:

• 3M Company
• CCL Industries Inc.
• Skanem AS
• Cenveo Inc.
• Ravenwood Packaging Ltd.
• Avery Dennison Corporation
• Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH
• Gipako
• Cenveo Corporation
• Hub Labels
• R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
• Reflex Labels Ltd
• Optimum group
• Bostik
• Coveris Holdings SA
• and other Major Players.

COVID-19 Impact on Linerless Labels Market

COVID-19 has adversely affected the operational capabilities of several industries. The linerless labels manufacturing companies are no exception to this. Due to the restrictions imposed on the imports and exports by several countries, there was a shortage of raw materials required for the manufacturing of linerless labels. The printers required for the production of linerless labels were not available in the market as countries from which these were exported were observing the highest number of infections. Moreover, as non-essential industries were forced to shut down, the production of linerless labels was halted. The end-user industries such as retail, home, and personal care products observed a huge decline in sales thus, hampering the usage of linerless labels in these sectors.

Key Industry Developments in Linerless Labels Market

• In April 2021, Ravenwood declared the launch of water-resistant linerless paper. The new Black Label WRX water-resistant linerless paper is available from 170gsm to 300gsm. This innovative water-resistant material can be utilized in applications where there is high condensation or humidity.
• In January 2020, Bostik, a global leading adhesive specialist for construction, industrial, and consumer markets, has launched its latest linerless label adhesive precisely manufactured to improve production line efficiencies and assure durable packaging for quick service restaurant applications.
• In March 2020, Ravenwood, a U.K based linerless label printer manufacturer has introduced its new Nobac 5000 linerless label applicator, which offers businesses a wide range of functional improvements such as improvements to brake systems, better access for engineers, retrofittable twin head settings, and coding on labels.