Linerless Labels Market Size, Share and Trends 2024 to 2034

Linerless Labels Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034

The global linerless labels market size is worth around USD 2.07 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach around USD 3.19 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.42% over the forecast period 2024 to 2034. The North America linerless labels market size reached USD 690 million in 2023. The enhanced operational efficiency, advanced technologies, high customization, enhanced productivity, improved manufacturing efficiency, and linerless labels reduce the cost of liner materials etc., contributing to the growth of the market.

Linerless Labels Market Key Takeaways

• North America dominated the linerless labels market with the largest market share of 35%  in 2023.
• Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period of 2024-2034.
• By product, the primary segment contributed the highest market share of 60% in 2023.
• By product, the variable information print segment is expected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period.
• By printing ink, the water-based segment generated the biggest market share of 40% in 2023.
• By printing ink, the solvent-based segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.
• By end-use, the food segment dominated the linerless labels market in 2023.
• By end-use, the beverage segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period.

U.S. Linerless Labels Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The U.S. linerless labels market size was exhibited at USD 490 million in 2023 and is projected to be worth around USD 800 million by 2034, poised to grow at a CAGR of 4.55% from 2024 to 2034.

North America dominated the linerless labels market in 2023. The demand for linerless labels is increasing because of cost efficiency and sustainability reasons. Many retail chains are adopting linerless labels for the packaging of products to minimize environmental footprint and reduce waste. The stringent government regulations help to support sustainability and implementation of many recycling programs for waste products.

• In August 2022, increasing the capacity for direct thermal linerless label production by nearly 40% as a direct response to consumer demand was announced by a leading provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply solutions, R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (RRD).

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period of 2024-2034. Linerless label demand is increasing in the Asia Pacific region because of the expanding e-commerce and retail sectors. Linerless labels offer efficient and cost-effective solutions for many products, including electronics and clothing. India and China are the leading countries for the growth of the linerless labels market.

• In November 2022, a new sustainable and eco-friendly solution for Thermal Linerless Labels was launched by Loparex India at Labelexpo India 2022. The benefits of Thermal Linerless Labels are zero use of release papers, zero disposal of waste, environmentally friendly, etc.

Market Overview

The linerless labels market refers to buyers and sellers of linerless labels, also called liner-free labels, which are labels that do not have a liner or backing paper. The benefits of linerless labels include being highly customizable, being made to answer all the labeling needs, lower shipping costs for users, improved manufacturing efficiency and productivity, and more labels per roll, which can help save on transportation costs and storage. It helps reduce landfill use and waste and lowers the carbon footprint of the packaging processes. The benefits of linerless labels also include improved safety, faster processing, and reduced freight and storage footprint. 

Linerless Labels Market Growth Factors

• The key advantages of linerless labels include improved safety by reducing waste and improving compliance with standards. 
• It also includes reduced freight and storage footprint, reduced waste, and faster processing, which will help the growth of the linerless labels market. 
• The applications of linerless labels include mobile printer applications in shipping centers and warehouses to identify products, may with removable labels, etc.
• Also, in mailing and shipping operations and scale applications like affixing a label in take-out or deli restaurants and weighing an item. 

What are the benefits of AI for the Linerless Labels Market?

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in linerless labels has many benefits, including reducing human error, facilitating instant decision-making, smoothly handling big data, automating repetitive tasks, etc. It also includes the benefits of improved cybersecurity, enhanced agriculture, improved financial services, scientific discovery, customer service excellence, advanced transportation, climate change mitigation, rising economic growth, improved healthcare, etc. These factors help to the growth of the linerless labels market.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Driver

Enhanced operational efficiency

The enhanced operational efficiency contributed to the growth of the linerless labels market. Linerless labels improve speed in operations while maintaining quality. It is noted that traditional labels with liners produce waste at the time of the packaging process. Using linerless labels helps to reduce waste, making it a sustainable option that is better for the environment and landfills. Reducing waste with linerless labels helps to improve safety and may enhance compliance with standards. 

Reflex Labels Ltd. reduces its carbon footprint or achieves sustainability by the following methods:

Restraint

Downsides of linerless labels

The downsides of linerless labels include their cost, which is as much as peel-and-stick labels, if not more. Special printers are needed to roll linerless labels smoothly over silicone rollers. May have to spend many thousands of dollars to purchase one-linerless labels. Linerless labels with limited shapes can be considered a drawback to end users' prospects. Linerless labels eliminate the felling of mature trees and eliminate the consumption of energy, fresh water, etc., which can hamper the growth of the linerless labels market. 

Opportunity

Increasing the use of linerless labels in industrial and retail applications

From eliminating the environmental impact and waste to streamlining the process of labeling, linerless labels are reshaping the landscape of labeling and packaging. Mobile linerless printers are used by developing retailers to allow shop floor staff to take label printers with them to products or shelves that require label or pricing updates. These factors will help the growth of the lineless labels market in the future. 

• Supplier Partners of Label Traxx are the following :

• • AVERY DENNISON
  • Spinnaker
  • hp
  • HERMA
  • mactac
  • UPM RAFLATAC
  • Wausau Coated
  • Technicote
  • FLEXCON
  • Green Bay Packaging Inc.
  • Acucore Inc.
  • ESKO

Product Insights

The primary segment dominated the linerless labels market in 2023. In the primary products, linerless labels contribute to improving safety and sustainability by eliminating carbon emissions at the time of production of liners and reducing liner waste, which promotes workplace safety and a greener environment. 

• In April 2024, the thermal labels and printers range was launched by the award-winning UK packaging supplier Kite Packaging. The advantages of linerless labels include enhanced safety and health, eliminating slip and trip hazards, using 40% less paper, flexibility in design and signing, etc. 

The variable information print segment is expected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period. The benefit of linerless labels is that there are 40% more labels per roll because of the absence of backing paper. More labels per roll means less downtime on production lines. Rising space allows for larger labels and a 40% reduction of storage space required. There is high-speed application and coding of variable information. Beontag’s VIP (Variable Information Printing) linerless labels have demonstrated a 33% water consumption reduction and 35% lower carbon footprint as compared to products with liner in the same application with advantages of every single stage of the life cycle, which help to the growth of the linerless labels market. The benefits of variable data printing include making tracking easier, personalizing label art and design, and increasing engagement. Variable data printing enables consistently targeted advertising. 

• In March 2023, a new AD XeroLinr DT, its DT (direct thermal) linerless label portfolio for Variable Information Printing (VIP), was launched by a leader in global materials science and manufacturing, Avery Dennison Corporation. 

Printing Ink Insights

The water-based segment dominated the linerless labels market in 2023. The water-based printing ink is environmentally friendly. It is made with less volatile and toxic chemicals, which produces less waste and less carbon footprint; water-based printing inks are long-lasting, feel better, allow greater detail, are breathable, don’t sacrifice quality or color, etc. Water-based printing inks are mainly useful for printing onto many substrates in a range of industries. In cardboard packaging, water-based printing inks reduce the risks of toxic compounds, which is essential for food packaging.

• In August 2023, the first generation of decorative linerless label solutions named ‘AD LinrSave and LinrConver,’ which help to reduce carbon footprint and waste, was launched by Avery Dennison. Water is used in packaging production. This solution is allowed by patented micro-perforation technology. 

The solvent-based segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Solvent-based printing inks are generally pigment inks. It contains pigments rather than dyes, and solvent inks contain alcohol or oil instead, which edge their way into media and produce a more permanent image. Solvent ink offers resistance to high temperatures and scratches and high durability at maximum environmental conditions, which makes it ideal for various types of packaging, outdoor signage, and products. The beneficial properties of solvent-based printing inks include allowing for crisp and clear printing and the ability to dissolve pigments, which help the growth of the linerless labels market. 

• In September 2024, the three new solvent-based ink series was launched by Hubergroup Print Solutions. It was specially customized to the Asian Market needs for Gecko Gold, Gecko Platinum NT, and Gecko Platinum Plus.

End-use Insights

The food segment dominated the linerless labels market in 2023. Linerless labels are used in the food sector because these are attractive labels that do not have a paper backing. Linerless labels help to improve food production. It can help to improve the efficiencies of production lines, which results in less downtime, higher production, and a tray pack with a higher return on investment (ROI). It also helps to reduce waste, reduces costs, and can operate in an environmentally friendly way. Eliminating waste also helps to increase efficiency and productivity, build sustainability, comply with regulations, and reduce disposal costs, which helps the market flow. 

• In September 2024, the ‘industry-first’ linerless flash label solution was launched by RAVENWOOD. They used linerless labels, which are designed for high throughput operations, and ensured promotional labels, which may be used in real-time at the time of the packaging process without slowing the production line. 

The beverage segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period. Linerless labels can also be used in the beverage sector, which helps to the growth of the linerless labels market. It helps to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the ordering process, enhances customer experience, and improves business performance and brand reputation.

Linerless Labels Market Companies

• ProMark Label Solutions
• ITW Textpack
• Label Traxx
• SATO Europe
• Lintec Corporation
• Ritrama S.p.A
• NAStar, Inc.
• Skanem AS
• Reflex Labels Ltd.
• Hub Labels
• Multi-color Corporation
• Avery Dennison Corporation
• R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
• CCL Industries
• 3M
• Coveris
• Optimum Group
• UPM Global
• Gipako UAB

Recent Developments

• In January 2024, a new decorative linerless technology named- ‘AD LinerSave Technology’ as the first step in a bid to transform the pressure-sensitive prime label market, was launched by Avery Dennison at Labelexpo Europe 2023. 
• In April 2024, Lecta launched a new thermal face stock designed especially for manufacturing linerless labels. By reducing traditional liner, linerless labels show an important opportunity for improving waste reduction in the labeling industry. This design of Ineris-certified phenol-free top-coated face stock is specifically suited for variable printing and barcode applications in retail and logistic sectors, which offer exceptional quality and high resistance.  

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product

• Primary
• Variable Information Print

By Printing Ink

• Water Based
• Solvent Based
• Uv Curable
• Other

By End-Use

• Food
• Beverage
• Home & Personal Care
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa