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An exclusive agreement with Canada’s Accu-Label will see Opal bring high speed paper-based labelling technology to the fresh produce sector in Australia and New Zealand. From mid-2021 Opal will manufacture the paper labels locally.

Opal and Accu-Label have signed an agreement continuing Opal’s exclusive distribution rights for Accu-Label’s internationally patented automatic high-speed labelling system, across Australia and New Zealand.

Accu-Label specialises in post-harvest fruit and produce labelling technology.

The agreement means Opal can provide a key point of differentiation through paper-based labelling technology, which it says is the first of its kind in the fresh produce industry and an alternative solution to plastic labels.

The Accu-Label range provided by Opal is available in a variety of customisable shapes, colours, artwork, and printed barcodes to support market distinction and traceability. Starting mid-2021, the paper labels for the system will be manufactured locally by Opal.

The labelling system itself delivers high label adhesion rates at high-speed, even on wet and fuzzy fresh produce, according to Opal.

“Opal continues to look for new opportunities to support our customers’ demand for innovative solutions, and Accu-Label’s high-speed labelling system is another example of how we are providing proven technology, with immediate market benefit,” Andrew Russo, Opal Group GM, Specialty Packaging, said.

“We are thrilled to continue our ongoing relationship with Opal, a key packaging supplier in the Australian and New Zealand market with the right innovative credentials that perfectly complement our paper-based label and machine application technology,” Accu-Label president Joe Sleiman said.

Key product features

  • Patented bellow design achieving high label application rates on wet and fuzzy produce
  • High quality paper-based labels for all fresh produce segments
  • Aluminium CNC machined labelling applicators including new variety quick change capability
  • Patented label waste liner rewind system that eliminates complex vacuum systems, replacing noisy dust collectors and reducing downtime.

Opal is a member of the Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA).

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