Krones is premiering a new type of labeler, called the Sleevematic ES, designed for handling stretch-sleeve films. These allow an extremely high stretch rate on beverage containers of up to 55%. Based on LDPE (low-density polyethylene), these films constitute an attractive alternative to sleeves made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The recyclable LDPE films are a far eco-friendlier product. And with their inherent characteristics, they give those responsible for the product concerned an excellent marketing tool permitting superlative dress options. Thanks to its high stretching capability, this new kind of sleeve is smaller, and consequently requires less material. Since these innovative stretch-sleeves are more than twice as elastic as conventional stretch-sleeves, they are particularly well suited for customized containers featuring very prominent contours. They require neither a shrink tunnel nor a container drier, with concomitant savings in energy consumption. In other words, they look like shrink-sleeves, but manage without any energy-intensive shrink-on process.