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Labels made of extremely fragile security films can provide the best protection against tampering with products and counterfeiting of branded goods. Once attached, they cannot be removed without tearing them into small pieces. 

However, there are problems in their production and application. The PVC and acetate materials used so far have only a limited shelf life because they contain volatile plasticizers and may still emit odors. VPF now offers another option: an innovative safety film based on acrylates-available in white matt and fully transparent versions. In the case of the same function, they are not only completely free of plasticizers and PVC, but also have a longer storage life and are completely odorless. When developing this product, VPF set a new technical standard.

Ultra-fragile security labels are usually used to prevent tampering before the first use, excessive labeling and anti-counterfeiting serialization of pharmaceutical packaging, and tamper-proof or test seals on technical equipment. Traditional security films based on PVC or acetate films have several shortcomings that have long been considered insurmountable when they are processed or end-use by label printers.

Disadvantages of PVC and acetate safety film

To produce PVC-based ultra-fragile safety films, plasticizers must be added. However, they will be gradually released, which will lead to severe embrittlement, which can cause considerable problems during further processing. In the end use, security labels may become brittle after being stored for too long or incorrectly, which significantly reduces their adaptability to manual or automatic dispensing. Therefore, the service life of PVC safety film is usually limited to six months. In addition, many industries and countries now require labels and packaging materials that are completely PVC-free. Although acetate-based safety films do not contain PVC in principle and have a slightly longer shelf life, they may still contain large amounts of process-related plasticizer and solvent residues. This means that they are not completely odorless, so they are generally not suitable for areas that come into contact with consumers, exclusive branded items, and sensitive applications of medicines.

Acrylic film: completely free of PVC, solvents and plasticizers

The acrylic safety film developed by VPF gets rid of the shortcomings of traditional materials and establishes a new technical standard. They are completely free of PVC, solvents and plasticizers, which is their greatest benefit for downstream processing. As a result, they provide a significantly longer shelf life not only at the label manufacturer's site, but also in various technical, medical/pharmaceutical and consumer-related end uses. It is also beneficial that they have excellent printability in a wide range of printing technologies. According to the requirements of the final label application, the new acrylate security film is available in two versions-transparent (VPF 72704) and white matte (VPF 72706)-each with a thickness of 50 µm. 

VPF's ultra-breakable security label adhesive plays a vital role. They show good initial tack and final adhesion on a variety of substrates, and at the same time are neither too gentle nor too strong, so extremely fragile security materials can still be die-cut cleanly and reliably separated from their substrates. The new acrylic safety film comes standard with VPF permanent 980 adhesive and easy-to-peel Glassine B700-473. Permanent 980 has low odor, is suitable for direct contact with food, and can be used in a temperature range of up to 120 °C. For challenging labeling applications, the matte white film can also be made with an opaque permanent 980 dark adhesive, or, for long-term outdoor applications, use UV acrylate hot melt adhesive HM 709 UV.

The newly developed acrylate safety film is based on modern raw materials and VPF's many years of experience in the field of ultra-destructive safety films. They constitute true product innovation, and are now setting higher and future-oriented technical standards.

Victoria Hattersley talked with Itue Yanagida, Toray International Europe GmbH's graphics system business development manager.

Philippe Gallard, Global Innovation Director of Nestlé Water, discussed the trends and latest developments from recyclability and reusability to different packaging materials.

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