Working with Rymax and Geostick to tackle technical challenges

What if your label could maintain its quality under extreme conditions? 


As a leader in labeling innovation, we join forces with partners across our supply chain to develop best-fit solutions that deliver top performance under challenging conditions, enable others to reduce their own environmental impact and more. 

For example, we recently worked closely with Rymax Lubricants, a Dutch lubricant manufacturer with a global footprint, and Dutch label converter Geostick, to resolve a challenging technical issue involving labels for their HDPE containers of lubricant.
 

The challenge                            

Rymax’s labels were curling up at the edges, especially on containers they shipped to hotter regions of the world, which resulted in a low quality image. They tried adjusting the material of the containers and the type of label, but the problem persisted. Eventually, it became clear that they could no longer present their products in this way.

Rymax started searching for a reliable label manufacturer to partner with to tackle the issue. At precisely the right moment, their partner Geostick stepped up, along with Avery Dennison as their supplier.

Working with Rymax and Geostick to tackle technical challenges


The solution

To get to the bottom of the issue, Geostick and Avery Dennison began running tests. 

“We couldn’t clearly identify the cause, so we started at the beginning: the raw material,” says Thomas van Nieuwstadt, Key Account Manager at Geostick.

They looked at the raw material, the adhesive, printing method, and packaging process at Rymax, so that all quality requirements, ranging from filling to labeling and transport, could be checked in one go.

“An important factor we had to consider was the extreme conditions in some places where Rymax’s products are sold,” says Hans Eichenwald, Marketing Manager at Avery Dennison. “These include high humidity in some places and extreme heat in others.”

Together, Avery Dennison and Geostrik developed a special test method to identify differences in lifting under various conditions. Raw materials were tested in special drying cabinets which could simulate the varying conditions of the points of sale, including testing products for a full week at 70℃. These tests clearly demonstrated the differences between label materials, enabling them to arrive at the optimal material: a top-coated polyethylene film. 

They also tested different colored bottles and ink amounts, as well as four different Avery Dennison adhesives and two facestocks. The polyethylene also had to be tested on the printing presses, which allowed them to optimize the printers’ settings. 

“Adjusting the settings led to less heating of the label during printing, helping us prevent the labels from curling when they came off the press,” says Thomas. 

After all these carefully conducted tests, Geostick and Avery Dennison helped deliver Rymax an optimized solution: a high performing label material in polyethylene, a high performing adhesive in Avery Dennison’s S477, and adjusted printer settings which deliver labels that pass the real world test, time and time again.

Working with Rymax and Geostick to tackle technical challenges


The results

The updated packaging also has an improved sustainability profile. Based on the Recyclass Recyclability Approval documentation, the packaging (including the label) does not disturb the HDPE recycling process and can be considered as limited compatible with colored HDPE recycling. 

“The first batch of containers has been labeled and shipped, and we are delighted to see that the labels have survived this baptism of fire: no more curling labels!” says Wouter Cuppen, Managing Director at Rymax. “It is interesting to experience how important a good label is for your product. Quality can make a huge difference.”

“Getting from test to label was intense, but in the end we achieved a beautiful product thanks to the transparent collaboration with Geostick and Avery Dennison,” Wouter notes. “This project really was collaborative, and going through it together has strengthened the bond and trust between us,” adds Hans. 

With the technical challenges behind them, Rymax is excited to put their new packaging onto the market. 
 

Learn more

To find out more about S477 and our other label materials for petrochemical applications, take a look at our Petrochemical Labels Product Guide or contact our Durables team using this form.