Synthetic Paper

In 2005, Label & Narrow Web’s associate editor at the time, Talar Sesetyan, wrote an article titled “Synthetic Paper: What is it?” This was nearly 12 years ago, and of course much has changed over that span of time – and I’m not referring to label substrates.Get more news about Synthetic Paper Label,you can vist our website!

The back issues of L&NW are archived on our website, and they go back as far as 2004. Using Google Analytics, we have the opportunity to see which articles get read the most. We can not only see what stories garner the most interest but also how long readers stay on a given page, and how they got there – whether it’s the words they typed into Google or a link they clicked on a social media site, for example.

We get monthly reports on what’s being read on the L&NW website, and sure enough, time and time again, “Synthetic Paper: What is it?” from 2005, makes our top ten list of most viewed articles. In fact, without even using the words “label” or “narrow web,” a Google search of the two words “synthetic paper” brings up Talar’s article on the very first results page, listed eighth out of nearly eight million landing spots. As we put our 2017 editorial calendar together, we decided that an update on the topic was long overdue. So, here it is.
Per the Global Market Insights 2016 research report, the global synthetic paper market size is projected to grow to 209.7 kilotons by 2023, an estimated gain of 6.1%. “Label market growth is estimated to be the highest, with gains at 6.3% up to 2023 and is predicted to exceed 80 kilotons,” says Alan Harsey, print technologist at Arjobex America.

We know it’s an area of growth, but what is it? The definition of synthetic paper is somewhat fluid, and the answer to the question is largely dependent on what supplier you ask, and what their company offers the label industry. For this article, we’ve reached out to a few experts, and their definitions vary.

Jason Depner, PPG global segment manager, Teslin Substrate Products, explains that synthetic paper is any printable material that isn’t made from wood pulp or natural fibers. He says, “While synthetic papers are typically polymer-based, not all are equal in composition. Different polymers or polymer blends offer different benefits, so users need to define the right composition that fits ideally with their application.”

According to Jack Smith, senior vice president of Hop Industries Corp., “Synthetic paper is a white opaque plastic that is made from either polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) plastic that has been modified with a calcium carbonate coating (CaO3) or clay filler (CaO3) to enhance its dyne level for better ink adhesion and brightness for printing durable tags and labels.”

Cecily Randall, international sales at Channeled Resources Group, gives it to us in layman’s terms. She says, “Synthetic paper is a cross between paper and film. Synthetics are resin-based, so they share some appealing characteristics of film such as tear resistance, water resistance and grease resistance. While synthetics don’t feel like paper to the touch, they emulate paper’s bright white, printable surface.”When choosing a substrate for a labeling application, converters must steer their customers toward what best suits the end use. Every roll of labels has a different requirement, so substrate choice will take into account many factors. Some examples: White wine labels need to withstand an ice bucket bath, shampoo bottle labels need to hold up for weeks or months in moist, humid bathroom environments, lawn mower labels need to withstand the outdoors and sunlight, and so on.

So when does the application point toward synthetic paper? And what advantages does it have over traditional paper or film?

You might say synthetic paper provides then best of both worlds of paper and film. Harsey says Polyart, Arjobex’s synthetic paper, combines the advantages of paper with the durability of plastic. “Polyart looks, feels, prints and converts like a premium matte-coated paper but stands up to water, weather, grease, chemicals and resists tearing,” he says. “It has the printability of paper with the durability of plastic.”

“A real advantage they have over paper is resistance to yellowing and a much longer shelf life,” says Randall. “Synthetics are used in a variety of applications requiring strength and resistance to the elements. For example, drum labels where resistance to chemicals may be necessary, or medical applications, such as labels or patient wrist bands, where moisture and tear resistance is critical. Synthetics are also extremely popular for outdoor tag applications for lumber tags, nursery or other horticultural products.”