A sticky situation.

(D. G. Yuengling and Sons Brewery uses adhesive from National Starch and Chemical Co. to affix labels to bottles) Eric Sfiligoj.

Beverage World, March 1994 v113 n1562 p104(1)

Founded in 1829, D.G. Yuengling & Sons Brewery of Pottsville, PA is one of the oldest breweries in the nation. Throughout its 165-year history, Yuengling has continued to brew beers in a traditional manner. Still, the company hasn't been stagnant.

"Our Yuengling products have not changed in the [many] years we've been in business," explains Dick Yuengling Jr., president and owner. "Even so ... we've updated our equipment and changed our image through the design of new labels."

The new labels, he says, still feature the company's American eagle trademark (the company was originally dubbed D.G. Yuengling's Eagle Brewery), but are more colorful and eye-catching than the old labels - while retaining a nostalgic tone that reflects both the brewery's place in Pennsylvania history and regional pride.

However, when Yuengling decided to introduce its new labels, it did encounter one sticky problem. "To establish this new look and maintain it, the labels must be applied smoothly and wrinkle-free," says Yuengling. "The adhesive used to hold them in place is critical to the overall appearance and market impact of the Yuengling bottles. Proper choice of label adhesives is also critical to optimum label application at high speeds."

(The brewery's line runs at 360 bottles per minute - roughly 172,000 bottles per day.)

After a number of tests with various adhesives, Yuengling decided that Col-Tite 14-4465 casein ice-proof adhesive from National Starch and Chemical Company (Bridgewater, NJ) could label its bottles faster with wrinkle-free placement.

(For several years, the company had used National Starch and Chemical's Instant-Lok 34-2690 hot melt adhesive to seal cases of product and make corrugated box trays.)

Since using Col-Tite 14-4465, Yuengling has had no problem keeping its new labels properly placed. And, adds Yuengling, the company is saving about 20 percent on its adhesive costs. "Before we used National's adhesive, our operators believed that the more adhesive you put on the label, the longer it sticks," he says. "Not so! You can't put it on with a trowel and expect it to stay."

Yuengling reaped an unexpected benefit in using Col-Tite 14-4465 adhesive on its returnable bottles. It makes removal of the labels easier, says Yuengling, shortening downtime, and the adhesive washes off easier, leaving no residue.