New linerless label material supports both automated and manual labeling as companies prepare for the EU’s PPWR regulations.
HERMA has expanded its linerless labeling portfolio with the launch of Linerless Plus, a new pressure-sensitive label material developed for logistics, shipping, warehousing, and industrial applications. The product is designed to eliminate conventional release liner waste while supporting a wide range of labeling workflows, from fully automated print-and-apply systems to desktop-printed labels applied manually.
The launch comes as European businesses prepare for the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which began applying on 12 August 2026. The regulation encourages greater resource efficiency and waste reduction across the packaging value chain, prompting manufacturers to explore solutions that minimize unnecessary material use.
Eliminating the Release Liner
Traditional self-adhesive labels are supplied on a siliconized release liner that carries the label until it is applied. Once removed, the backing material becomes waste that must be collected, recycled where facilities exist, or disposed of.
Linerless Plus removes this disposable backing altogether. By eliminating the release liner, companies can reduce material consumption, generate less secondary waste around labeling stations, and improve operational efficiency in high-volume logistics environments where thousands of shipping labels are used each day.
Designed for Multiple Labeling Workflows
Unlike linerless products intended solely for automated equipment, Linerless Plus has been developed to work across different operational setups. The material is compatible with automated labeling systems while also supporting desktop printers used in warehouses and fulfillment centers, where operators print labels and apply them manually.
This flexibility allows businesses to adopt linerless labeling without replacing existing desktop printing processes, making the technology suitable for facilities with varying levels of automation.
Expanding HERMA’s Linerless Portfolio
Linerless Plus complements HERMA’s existing InNo-Liner technology rather than replacing it. While InNo-Liner is primarily designed for automated print-and-apply applications, the new material extends linerless capabilities to manual labeling workflows, giving logistics and industrial users a broader range of solutions for different production and distribution requirements.
Supporting Material Reduction Under PPWR
Although compliance with PPWR depends on the overall packaging system—including substrates, adhesives, recyclability, and sorting performance—linerless labeling addresses one significant source of packaging waste: the disposable carrier material used in conventional labels.
For distribution centers processing large shipment volumes, removing the release liner can deliver meaningful material savings over time while reducing waste generated during labeling operations.
HERMA says Linerless Plus reflects the growing demand for practical packaging solutions that combine efficient labeling performance with reduced resource consumption across modern logistics networks.
