Bulmers of Clonmel combines adhesive and labelling technology

Bulmers Ltd. of Clonmel is the leading producer on the Irish cider market and operates four glass bottling lines supplied by Krones. Depending on the line output involved, Multimatic cold-glue labellers or Topmatic machines are used for cold-glue labelling. Bulmers of Clonmel has for about two years now been using solely the cold glue from KIC Krones. Peter Chambers, Production Director at Bulmers of Clonmel, sees plenty of advantages in the synthetic cold-glue product S 4001: “Bulmers and Magners are bottled without any pasteurisation, which means that the bottles are still moist when they reach the labeller. This necessitates good initial adhesion of the label, so as to prevent the label slipping on the bottle. This is what we get with the S 4001 we’re using.” Moreover, the KIC Krones cold glue gives up to 25 per cent more yield and improved dress quality, thanks to the right mixture of synthetic and casein components.
There are more details that demonstrate the successful cooperation. Upon suggestion by Bulmers, 1.000-kg IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) are now used instead of the 33-kg plastic buckets, one each for Lines 1, 2 and 5, and one jointly for Lines 3 and 4. “The containers form an integral part of our adhesive preheating and Glue Dispenser systems, supplied by KIC Krones, to ensure that the correct quantity of glue is put into the stainless steel buckets and is the right working temperature at the labeller itself”, emphasizes Peter Chambers.
This system provides ecological advantages as well. In the emptied plastic buckets, three to four per cent of the glue was left inside, and disposing of the buckets was very difficult. The take-back system for the IBC containers collects them free of charge.
In order to cope with the labellers, Bulmers organises regular training courses in conjunction with Krones. “This ensures that firstly the staff take special care to keep the machines clean, and secondly that operator control and adhesive supply are performed correctly. We’re very happy with this collaboration with KIC Krones.”