Kooperation für bessere Performance:

GeBE and UPM Adhesive Materials Set New Standards in the Linerless Market

Germering, September, 2025

GeBE Elektronik und Feinwerktechnik GmbH and UPM Adhesive Materials are now intensifying their collaboration in the field of linerless solutions. What began as a long-standing, mutually supportive partnership in the development and optimization of linerless technologies for thermal printing in Print & Apply systems has now evolved into an official cooperation. The aim is to jointly bring new products to the Print & Apply market. In addition to developing sustainable and economically attractive linerless solutions, the two companies are now placing a strong focus on enhancing the performance of these solutions – for example, by pursuing high-speed capabilities.

First Steps

In a long-term test conducted by the Germering-based thermal printing systems provider using UPM Adhesive Materials’s RL54 OptiCutTM linerless label material, the benchmark of two million cuts, jointly set by the cooperation partners, has now been reached. So far, the cutting blades in the linerless cutter system have not needed to be cleaned. The test is ongoing. The specially developed „OptiCut“ adhesive has proven to be particularly processing-friendly in combination with GeBE’s linerless cutter systems. The UPM paper used in the test is now officially approved for use in GeBE linerless printers, including in high-performance labeling applications. It is characterized by excellent thermal print quality and very low printhead contamination.

Compelling Results

GeBE linerless printers are true cost savers in Print & Apply applications. The average paper change time, which typically takes several minutes, is reduced to well under a minute. This results in lower personnel costs and significantly reduced downtime. That GeBE linerless cutters, together with the corresponding label material from UPM Adhesive Materials, can achieve up to two million cuts without requiring blade cleaning is a remarkable result.

„This collaboration combines material expertise, global market strength and German engineering,“ Marko Tiainen, Business Growth Manager, Linerless, at UPM, summarizing the cooperation. „We bring the flexibility of a medium-sized company and develop customized printing and cutting solutions that perfectly complement UPM’s international portfolio,“ confirms GeBE’s Head of R&D, Klaus Baldig.

Caption:

Klaus Baldig and Marko Tiainen are convinced that the cooperation between GeBE Elektronik und Feinwerktechnik and UPM Adhesive Materials will open up a wealth of new opportunities in the print & apply market in the future.

About GeBE Elektronik und Feinwerktechnik GmbH:

GeBE Elektronik und Feinwerktechnik GmbH, based in Germering, has been a leading provider of thermal printing systems for industrial applications for over 40 years. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes high-quality thermal printing systems that are used in logistics, retail, medical technology, parking, public transportation, and many other industries.

About UPM Adhesive Materials:

UPM Adhesive Materials offers high-performance, innovative self-adhesive products, including label materials, graphic solutions, and specialty tapes, as well as reliable, customer-focused services. They are one of UPM’s fastest-growing global businesses, employing around 3,200 people. In 2024, they achieved sales of nearly €1.6 billion (US$1.7 billion).

Further Information: adhesivematerials.upm.com Follow UPM Adhesive Materials on LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram

Further Information: adhesivematerials.upm.com

UPM Adhesive Materials will be exhibiting at Labelexpo Europe in Barcelona from September 16 to 19, 2025, at booth 3D29.