‘Benzyl alcohol is one of our most important products,’ explains Jörg Drißen, shipping manager for the chlorination plant. “In addition to its use as a solvent, this fragrance and flavouring agent is also used as a preservative in cosmetic products, for example.” Like all chemical products, benzyl alcohol is subject to labelling requirements in accordance with the GHS Regulation (Global Harmonised System). The 200-litre drums must be labelled with the word ‘Caution’ (exclamation mark). ‘We comply with this requirement using labels,’ explains Robert Grzeski, Chlorination Plant Operations Engineer.

The challenge

• Very large labels measuring 148 mm x 315 mm
• Two labels on each drum
• High costs associated with incorrect labelling

The result

• Installation of a pneumatic cylinder on the dispenser tongue of the Alpha Compact label dispenser
• Two label dispensers on the side of the conveyor belt and one above for lid labelling
• High reliability and over 90 service and sales staff throughout the country
• Alternative: Bluhm Weber Group service boxes with spare parts

Hazardous substance labels for the chemical industry

Each 200-litre drum is provided with two labels: a combination label affixed to the side contains the mandatory hazardous substance information and logistical information. ‘We apply this variable data to the label material using a thermal transfer printer,’ explains Jörg Drißen. The second label is affixed to the barrel lids. It provides information on the safe handling of the barrel and includes opening instructions.

‘Our labels are very large and therefore difficult to apply,’ says Jörg Drißen. At 148 millimetres, they are not only very wide, but also very long at 315 millimetres. Conventional labelling systems are not sufficient to apply the material evenly and reliably over such a length around a drum. ‘We often had problems with the technology in the past,’ recalls Robert Grzeski.

Lanxess Krefeld therefore switched to the labelling technology of the labelling supplier Bluhm Weber Group. ‘A total of three Alpha Compact label dispensers from Bluhm Weber Group label the drums. In addition, a technical modification was offered that allows different barrel sizes to be labelled without any problems using particularly long labels. ‘For Lanxess labels, the so-called wipe-on process, in which round products are normally wrapped with labels, is not sufficient,’ explains Rajko Limberger, system consultant at Bluhm Weber Group. ‘We have mounted a pneumatic cylinder on the dispensing tongue of our label dispenser. This allows the dispensing tongue to move up and down flexibly and guide the entire label along the curve without bubbles.’

Factor: reliability

‘The Alpha Compact labellers prove their high reliability in everyday use,’ says Robert Grzeski happily. “This is very gratifying because it always involves a lot of work when barrels have to be rejected and relabelled due to incorrect labelling.” The Alpha Compact devices are not only robust and stable. Thanks to their integrated control unit, they are also very compact. Up to 100 different configurations with variable data such as label size, speed and labelling position can be stored in the control unit and called up at the touch of a button.

‘Should a technical problem nevertheless arise, we have over 90 service and sales staff throughout the country,’ reassures Rajko Limberger. ’They are quickly on site.’ Alternatively, Bluhm Weber Group offers service boxes containing all necessary spare parts, which can either be stored at the customer's premises or sent overnight to the customer or technician. The customer's employees can also be trained on the system at the company's own training centre so that they can quickly intervene themselves if necessary.