What is the MWPP - What does MWPP stand for??

The Label Planet code assigned to our range of matt white polypropylene labels These labels are made of a white polypropylene film with a matt finish They have a permanent marine quality adhesive BS5609 standard adhesive and are suitable for use with inkjet printers These labels also belong to our range of waterproof labels they are our only waterproof product designed for use with inkjet printers that will produce completely waterproof labels including the print Generally speaking inkjet printers cannot produce waterproof print because inkjet inks are usually water-based and will run and or smudge when wet Our MWPP labels have a special top coating which helps printing inks to dry efficiently fixes print in place and acts as a protective waterproof barrier - allowing waterproof labels to be created using an inkjet printer Please note this material is not compatible with all inkjet printer models ink cartridges so we ask that you request a sample to test with your printer before placing your first order of MWPP

Glossary

Adhesive (Marine) - What is a marine adhesive?

Definition of MARINE ADHESIVE:

At Label Planet, we use this term to refer to the permanent adhesive used to make our waterproof marine labels (MWP, MWPE, MWPO, MWPP), which is a clear acrylic-based permanent adhesive that is BS5609 part 2 approved. BS5609 is a standard that lists the requirements that must be met to ensure that a label fits the criteria for use in marine and extreme environments. The most common application for this type of label is chemical drums that are used to store waste (and are shipped overseas); if one of these drums were to fall overboard, the label MUST remain in place so that the contents remain identifiable as dangerous waste. Companies who are transporting dangerous goods overseas are subject to a number of safety regulations (e.g. Merchant Shipping Regulations, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code, and/or the Globally Harmonised System of Classification (GHS), among others), which will require that the labels applied to these goods meet the British Standard BS5609, which is an internationally recognised standard for labels that are to be used on goods that will be shipped overseas.

The BS5609 standard is a multipart certification also known as the “Marine Immersion Testing” standard. Sections 2 and 3 of the certification list the requirements and testing methods that are used to determine if the face material and adhesive used to make a label (part 2) and the printing inks, ribbons, toner, and/or printing systems used to print a label (part 3) are suitable for use in marine conditions. A printed label CANNOT be tested under section 3 of the standard unless the label itself has already met the requirements of section 2.

Part 2 tests the durability and permanence of the face material and adhesive; testing includes accelerated aging tests, such as exposure to artificial weather to simulate salt spray and sunlight (to test dimensional stability, colourfastness, and resistance to weather), temperature cycling (exposing the labels to high and low temperatures for sustained periods of time), and adhesion tests, which include applying the labels onto test blocks that are then left in sea water at mid-tide for three months.

Part 3 likewise tests the durability of the print that is added to the labels; testing takes place using a specific set of printing inks, toners, or ribbons and a specific printing system. It includes tests for print key effectiveness (by testing resistance to print removal using adhesive tape), abrasion resistance and print legibility (by exposing the label to a mixture of sand and artificial sea water), print permanence and colourfastness (by exposing the label to artificial salt spray and sunlight). Similarly to part 2, the printed label must also be able to undergo three months submersion in salt water conditions.

While the BS5609 certification can be used to certify that labels are suitable for highly specific applications (such as chemical drums), it is also used as a general indicator that a particular label product is extremely robust and durable and therefore suitable for a range of applications that may include exposure to unusual conditions (for example, labels that are to be used outdoors). At Label Planet, our MWP, MWPE, MWPO, and MWPP label ranges are all made with a marine adhesive and have been successfully tested according to the requirements of BS5609 part 2.

Several blue chemical barrels stacked on metal racking; each barrel is labelled with a number of labels. Chemical barrels are often labelled using marine adhesives to ensure that labels remain in place even if a barrel ends up in sea water.

Here is the Harvard-style citation to use if you would like to reference this definition of the term marine adhesive:
Label Planet (2016) What is a marine adhesive? | Marine Adhesive Definition. Available at: https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/glossary/adhesive-marine/ (Accessed: January 1, 2024).

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