HERMA Launches Allergen-free and Grass-based Label Material

TAGS:  Natural-based Adhesives    

HERMA has launched HERMAnature fieno (340), an allergen-free and grass-based label material. The resource-friendly grass paper has small carbon-dioxide (CO₂) footprint thereby best suited for food and cosmetics labels.

Adhering to Sustainability Requirements

Grass papers have been used widely for various kinds of food packaging and received a lot of attention from companies committed to sustainable packaging.

The new label material HERMAnature fieno (grade 340) made from grass paper allows users to apply special sustainability requirements to labels. In the process, the grass fibers are processed mechanically and requires no chemicals. Compared to wood pulp processing, this results in energy savings of 97 percent and water savings of 99 percent.

As the grass originates from domestic compensation areas logistics expenses are also minimized resulting in CO₂ savings of up to 75 percent. In the end grass paper saves CO₂ amount to a considerable sum of 20 to 25 percent.

The production of such grass papers is based on special grass pellets developed and patented by a German company from the Rhineland. Grass or sun-dried hay is a major component of most eco-friendly paper. Processing these fibers for paper production is resource-friendly and generates very little CO2, compared with paper produced from fresh fiber or even recycled cellulose.

Key Features of New Label Material

• HERMAnature fieno contains 30 percent of sustainable resource. It can be processed like conventional paper and offers good printability in offset and flexo printing.
• The grass paper contains no allergens that are subject to EU labelling requirements listed in the regulation (EU) 1169/2011. Thus, grass paper labels are ideally suited for use in food and cosmetics.
• HERMAnature fieno is equipped with 62A adhesive which is suitable for direct contact with dry and moist foodstuffs as well as fatty foodstuffs with a correction factor of three or more according to the regulation (EU) 10/2011. 62A adhesive provides excellent water resistance and especially good resistance against light, heat, and aging.

“As it is a natural product, its color can vary”, said Dr. Ulli Nägele, Head of Research and Development at HERMA. “But combined with the material’s somewhat rougher surface, this immediately and credibly signals to the consumer that this is sustainable packaging material.”

Source: HERMA