Meeting the Demands of the Food & Beverage Industry

Packaging in the food and beverage industry must do more than protect its contents—it must inform, attract, and withstand a wide range of environmental challenges. Labels, in particular, play a crucial role in ensuring products remain identifiable, compliant, and visually appealing from production to consumption. Yet, the demands placed on these labels are significant.

From frozen ready meals and moisture-prone beverage bottles to greasy snack packaging and hot-filled sauces, labels must endure extreme temperatures, humidity, and handling. If they fail—whether by peeling, fading, or losing adhesion—the result can be lost brand integrity, compromised compliance, and even wasted product. At the same time, brands face increasing pressure to adopt sustainable packaging solutions that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing performance.

Smith & McLaurin is meeting these challenges head-on with innovative label stock materials and adhesive technologies designed specifically for the food and beverage sector. Labels must be reliable across the entire supply chain, and our solutions ensure they remain securely in place, legible, and fit for purpose under even the harshest conditions.

Sustainability is an equally critical consideration in food and beverage packaging. Consumers and regulators alike are demanding materials that reduce waste, enhance recyclability, and contribute to a more circular economy. Traditional labels can complicate recycling processes, making it essential for brands to adopt materials that align with sustainability goals without sacrificing performance. At Smith & McLaurin, we are at the forefront of sustainable innovation, developing label materials and adhesives that actively support environmentally responsible packaging.

Our ecoPack solution is a prime example of this commitment. As an award-winning, one-side coated heat seal and moisture barrier paper, ecoPack offers a fully recyclable, FSC®-certified alternative to avoidable plastic packaging. Its translucent, sustainable design provides brands with an environmentally friendly option that does not compromise on durability or functionality. Recyclable through the paper stream and fully repulpable in accordance with Fibre Box Association (FBA) protocols, ecoPack helps brands meet their sustainability targets while maintaining the high-performance standards required in food and beverage applications.

Adhesive technology is another crucial factor in improving recyclability, and our PurityWash range has been developed to address this challenge. These innovative, first-to-market adhesives enable labels to wash off PET, PP, PE, HDPE, and glass bottles during industrial cleaning and return processes. By leaving packaging materials residue-free, PurityWash ensures both the bottle and the label material can be fully recycled, maximising resource recovery and supporting a closed-loop recycling system. We offer a broad selection of adhesives suitable for Caustic Hot Water and Cold Water (Paper) and Cold Water (Film) applications, ensuring that brands have the flexibility to choose the most appropriate solution for their packaging needs.

For fresh produce and bagged food items, Eco Form is redefining sustainability in wine glass tags. Named for their distinctive shape, wine glass tags are commonly used on netted bags for products such as onions, oranges, garlic, and bagged confectionery. Eco Form is the industry’s first recyclable mono-material wine glass tag, providing a sustainable alternative for various netted food applications. Available in two variations, Eco Form delivers the same durability and functionality as traditional materials while enabling brands to transition to a more eco-conscious packaging solution.

With decades of expertise in high-performance label stock, we ensure food and beverage brands no longer have to choose between functionality and sustainability. Our tailored solutions address the industry’s toughest challenges, ensuring that labels remain reliable, compliant, and visually appealing.

We’re here to help you find the perfect solution for your food and beverage packaging needs. Whether you’re looking for recyclable label materials, wash-off adhesives, or high-performance solutions for extreme conditions, our expert team is ready to assist.

Get in touch today—call us on 01505 707700 or email info@smcl.co.uk.