Electrostatic In Mould Labelling (IML)

What is In Mould Labelling (IML)

In Mould Labelling, also referred to as ‘In Mold Labelling’ or IML, with the help of static electricity is becoming the new standard in injection moulding, thermoforming and blow moulding industry. Instead of conventional methods like decorating by printing directly or placing an adhesive label onto the product, the decoration is achieved with a pre-printed plastic label. The pre-printed label is positioned into the injection mould and kept in place by an electrostatic charge. This way the label will be moulded together with the product shape and comes out as a finished, fully recyclable product.

Outside the mould the robot picks-up a single, pre-printed label to transport (high-speed) and place it into the mould cavity (single or multiple), where it sticks due to the electrostatic bond between the label and the metal mould wall (ground potential). Therefore the label will not slip or change position in the mould during the moulding process and a perfect In Mould Labelling result can be achieved with an optimal cycle-time.