EVENTS


Labelexpo Europe 2023: an appointment with innovation in labeling

05/09/2023

CATEGORY: Fairs BRAND: Labelexpo Europe


The countdown is on to Labelexpo Europe 2023, the world’s largest label and package printing technology trade show. This will be the first time Labelexpo Europe has been held at Brussels Expo since 2019. From 11-14 September, the biennial show promises to be an unforgettable experience, featuring hundreds of live demonstrations, product launches, three expert-led masterclasses and special events focused on automation and flexible packaging.


Aimed at label and flexible packaging converters, brand owners and packaging designers, Labelexpo Europe 2023 covers nine halls with over 600 exhibitors across four days. Leading suppliers taking part include ABG, Avery Dennison, Bobst, Domino, Durst, Epson, Fujifilm, Gallus, HP, Kocher & Beck, Konica Minolta, Mark Andy, MPS, Nilpeter, OMET, and Xeikon.

 

Alongside the exhibition, visitors will get the opportunity to attend three expert-led masterclasses organised by The Label Academy, an Automation Arena, and a Flex Pack Trail.

 

The popular educational program will comprise of three half-day masterclasses which will cover wine labeling markets and technology, flexible packaging and sustainable labels and packaging.

 

Additionally, visitors will also get the chance to attend the Dieline Forum, a two-day design conference that will explore the latest trends and innovations shaping the brands of tomorrow. With a focus on sustainability, the Dieline Forum will dive into the strategies and practices that are capturing the hearts and wallets of Gen Z and Millennials, who are increasingly drawn to eco-friendly products and brands.

 

At the Flex Pack Trail, visitors will be able to learn more about digital and conventional press technologies, flexpack material constructions, coating, laminating, ink and curing requirements, in-line and near-line decoration options, QC and migration testing. Live demonstrations will take place and visitors will be able to take the trail at their own leisure.

 

Printing of both filmic and paper-based flexible packaging materials will be demonstrated by a number of suppliers including HP Indigo on its new 200k digital press, Xeikon on the new TX500 Titon toner press, Screen on the Truepress Pac520P – seen for the first time at a Labelexpo - and Lombardi and Bobst on mid-web UV flexo press lines.

 

The Automation Arena features a full ‘lights out’ production workflow, from file creation to digital printing and converting. The participants include CERM, Esko, AVT, Xeikon and Grafotronic. As well as automated setup and inspection of both printing and converting processes, the CERM MIS will collect real-time information via a Cloud portal which visitors will be able to monitor on their own smart devices. CERM will demonstrate printing of closing labels on each roll on the turret rewind.

 

A new feature for Labelexpo Europe is Flexo’s Future – ECG, a series of presentations and guided tours on Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) printing. Daily presentations by renowned ECG expert Dr Kai Lankinen will take place on the show floor, examining all aspects of fixed color palette printing, where up to seven inks (CMYK+OGV) are used to reproduce spot colors. The presentations will address questions such as why is ECG not more widely used in the labels industry? What are the requirements to implement a successful ECG workflow? And what are the sustainability and efficiency advantages?

 

Taking place on the first evening of the show, 11 September, is the Label Industry Global Awards ceremony, themed as ‘Crowning the Industry’s Champions’. The awards highlight the key achievements and successes of individuals and companies working in the label and package printing sector. Malcolm Rae of GEW will receive the Global Achievement Award, and the winners of the other categories – Rising Star, Team Achievement, Innovation, Sustainability and Converter of the Year – will be announced on the night.

Labelexpo Europe 2023 is again strongly supported and endorsed by trade bodies FINAT, EUWID, Febelgra, SPPES, UNFEA and VskE.

 

We are delighted to be running Labelexpo Europe again and can promise visitors an extraordinary show across nine halls. We will see an explosion of cutting-edge technology launched at the show, everything from pre-press to materials, and digital and conventional print and converting technology. Add to this a world-leading series of educational events and our focus on Automation and Flexible Packaging for label converters and you have an unmissable Labelexpo experience,”, says Jade Grace, portfolio director of Labelexpo Global Series.

 

Added Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director at Labelexpo Global Series: “We are already seeing key technology themes emerging at Labelexpo Europe 2023. Diversification across labels and flexible packaging technologies, digital embellishment, workflow and machine automation, real-time data collection over the Cloud and sustainability across multiple fronts from LED-UV to more new materials and adhesives choices. This will be a landmark show for the future direction of our industry.

 

Tarsus Group, organiser of Labelexpo Global Series, has announced that Labelexpo Europe will move from its current location at Brussels Expo to Fira de Barcelona for the 2025 edition. The move to Barcelona in 2025 follows extensive consultation with labeling industry stakeholders and takes advantage of the excellent facilities of both the Fira site and the city of Barcelona.

 

Label Academy: three masterclasses

The show will explore the current global wave of technological advances through an excellent programme of live demonstrations, brand new launches and three expert-led Label Academy masterclasses.

First up is the Flexible Packaging Master Class, which aims to equip label converters looking to enter or expand their production into this highly competitive market with the essential technical knowledge they need.

Topics include: substrates, such as paper, metallic foil, films and multi-layer constructions; creation of artwork and pre-press; printing processes and techniques; inks, coatings, curing and laminating; and converting flexible packaging.

 

In addition, an update on the Finat UVFoodSafe initiative will be presented, and a leading converter will showcase their experience of moving into flexible packaging.

Secondly, the Sustainable Labels and Packaging Master Class will provide essential guidance for converters seeking to bolster their green credentials in order to become more efficient with their resources, contribute to a circular economy and meet EU regulations.

Different aspects of the label production process will be covered, including sustainable inks and coatings, PS labels, flexible packaging, options for matrix waste, turning liner waste into an opportunity, and using blockchain to record and meet sustainability criteria. The impact of Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations and Design for Recycling guidelines will also feature.

 

The final master class, brand new for 2023, is the Wine Labeling Technology Master Class, which will show converters what they need to know in order to move into this highly lucrative sector. Attendees will discover how to meet current, and incoming, EU regulations, and different aspects of the wine label production process will be explored.

 

This includes: specialist inks, coatings and embellishment techniques; paper substrates; printing technology and making the right machinery choices; and the branding perspective on creating the perfect wine label.

 

www.labelexpo-europe.com/features-schedules

 

 

 

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