Label-free bottles: the new eco-design solution

Appealing and trendy containers

Packaging is a strategic element for the commercial success of any product, as it can impact both profitability and corporate sustainability policies.

In primary packaging solutions, sustainability is expressed through creativity, with the design of visually appealing containers that capture consumers' attention, and through functionality, with the development of lightweight, rPET, and label-free bottles.

Label-free bottles are an increasingly popular trend among food and beverage manufacturers. For example, in Portugal, Carvalhelhos, a company that has always prioritized sustainability and environmental responsibility, produces new PET and rPET containers without plastic labels, thanks to the EBS 8 KL ERGON stretch-blow moulder by SMI.

SMI solution for Carvalhelhos

Carvalhelhos blow moulder not only produces traditional PET and rPET bottles that require label application, but it is also equipped with specialized moulds designed by SMIMEC for the stretch-blow moulding of 0.33 L, 0.5 L, and 1.5 L flat-bottom rPET bottles without paper or plastic labels. This eco-friendly solution eliminates the need for glue and additional paper or plastic materials, simplifying the recycling process and ensuring higher purity in recycled PET.

The area dedicated to the label has been removed, eliminating the ribs typically found in traditional bottles. Therefore, an innovative combination of embossed and debossed engravings on the bottle body provides additional space for the brand logo and essential product information, which would traditionally appear on a label. This approach also allows for the inclusion of information in braille.

Beyond its environmental benefits, this solution aligns with Carvalhelhos’ aesthetic and branding needs, helping the new bottle stand out on store shelves and attract consumer attention.

Advantages for the environment and the consumer:

- eco-friendly solution, as the PET bottle is 100% recyclable

- better compliance with environmental regulations regarding recycling

- easier recycling process, since there is no label to remove. Even when made from recyclable materials, labels on traditional bottles must be separated from the container during recycling.

- no need for glue in label application.

- reduced packaging waste, resulting in less material to recycle.

Advantages for the bottler:

- reduced costs for raw material purchases (labels and glue).

- lower storage costs for raw materials.

- simplified and optimized production process, as a labelling machine is no longer required.

- easier and more efficient PET recycling, since there is no need to separate the label from the container.

For more information about SMI latest solutions for label-free containers and sustainable development, please contact our sales department or visit our website

Best regards,

Marketing Department

SMI S.p.A.

E-mail: info@smigroup.it