Avery Dennison acquires linerless labels IP from Catchpoint

Avery Dennison RBIS operates manufacturing plants around the world
Avery Dennison RBIS operates manufacturing plants around the world

Avery Dennison has acquired Yorkshire company Catchpoint's IP for the dispensing of linerless labels.

The deal, which was announced yesterday (17 March), covers Sicklinghall, Wetherby-based Catchpoint's patents, brand, trade secrets and know-how, and Avery Dennison said arrangements have been made to ensure the continued support of the Catchpoint team.

Under the agreement, Avery Dennison will honour Catchpoint’s existing commercial agreements. The business said linerless labels have the potential to both reduce liner waste, as well as related production and transport costs.

“With the acquisition of Catchpoint, Avery Dennison will have intellectual property that helps us fulfill two of our main 2030 sustainability goals: to deliver innovations that advance the circular economy, and to reduce environmental impact in operations and technology,” said Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials EMENA vice president of marketing Noel Kasmi.

“As we are pushing to make linerless labels available widely to our customers, this technology will help us move more quickly, enabling sustainable and cost-saving solutions to reach our customers around the world more rapidly. This is world class technology that will deliver real benefits to our customers and the environment.”

Catchpoint business development director Mike Cooper added: “We are excited for Avery Dennison to be acquiring our technology with the intent of making its products more sustainable. Combining our technology with Avery Dennison’s scale, market position and industrial know-how represents an amazing opportunity, a worthy destination for our journey to bring linerless labelling to the market.”

Avery Dennison employs around 36,000 staff in more than 50 countries. Its reported sales in 2021 were $8.4bn (£6.4bn).

Separately, the business has recently achieved full Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) membership.

ETI is an alliance of companies, trade unions, and NGOs that promotes respect for workers’ rights around the globe. Its vision is a world where all workers are free from exploitation and discrimination, and enjoy conditions of freedom, security, and equity.

It ensures member companies advance ethical trading practices, while making a positive impact on workers’ lives.

Avery Dennison RBIS (Retail Branding and Information Solutions) has been actively engaged as a foundation member of ETI since January 2020 and has successfully completed a rigorous audit process to validate conformance with ETI’s Base Code and standards.

The business said its elevation to full membership further demonstrates its commitment to strengthening the transparency of labour practices in its facilities, as well as improving the lives of all employees who work across its supply chain.

Avery Dennison RBIS operates manufacturing plants around the world, in locations including China, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, and Honduras. The business said it has long been committed to social compliance to ensure all workers are safe, respected, and fairly treated.

“We believe our size, scale, and position within the global supply chain give us an opportunity to invest in collaborative practices that support safe and healthy work environments,” said Avery Dennison global social compliance manager Ray Zhang.

“We are proud of our ETI Membership, and see it as 100% consistent with our goal of enhancing the livelihood of our people and communities, which ultimately creates value for everyone in the supply chain.”