In a conversation with Packaging South Asia, Tasha Ventimiglia, group director – Labelexpo Americas 2024, spoke about the highlights of the ongoing show at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago. FlexPack@Labelexpo is an inclusive feature with the show for flexible packaging and shrink sleeves, which will allow attendees entering this high-value market to see the latest equipment and materials from leading industry suppliers in the flex pack sector.
“Attendees and exhibitors are witnessing the latest innovations shaping the future of the label and package printing industry — including sustainable material solutions, short-run flexible packaging, workflow automation, and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology,” Ventimiglia said. “There are hundreds of live demonstrations showcasing the latest digital printing technologies and flexo press technology, finishing equipment, materials, inks, and preproduction systems.”
There is a Label Academy masterclass on flexible packaging and a workshop on RFID Technology for Label Converters, aligning with the key trends to be seen at the show. This series will provide attendees with expert guidance on entering or expanding their label production into new, lucrative markets, adding value, and streamlining their current operations.
She adds, “In addition, there was an expanded networking opportunity that included a converter leadership lunch taking place on 10 September. The lunch featured a high-level converter leadership panel discussion, followed by a delegate Q&A, alongside networking time with peer CEOs and thought leaders from major converting groups. A keynote breakfast on 11 September will include a high-level keynote session on automation and AI followed by an expert-led panel discussion, alongside an exclusive networking opportunity with industry leaders.”
At the Innovation Stage, exhibitors got the opportunity to showcase their latest technologies in a series of 20-minute presentations. Labelexpo Americas witnessed the introduction of two highly automated mid-web 26-inch flexo presses targeted at short-run flexible packaging, wraparound, in-mold, and shrink-sleeve labels.
Mark Andy launched the new P-Series S9 flexo press – available in both 22-inch and 26-inch versions – as well as digital and hybrid equipment and Nilpeter demonstrated a 26-inch FA-26 for the first time in the US. HP demonstrated its mid-web format 200k press for the first time at Labelexpo Americas with an add-on slitter to allow label converters to print PS labels and slit inline before finishing off-line. Other new launches include Canon’s prototype water-based inkjet press, the LabelStream SL2000, and the Durst Kjet hybrid press – both machines only seen before at drupa.
“There is more equipment on the show this year than we had in the past,” Ventimiglia says. “This includes new, wider flexo presses, hybrid technology including the new Durst KJet and Mark Andy IQR configured with a 2200 press frame and Domino N610i print engine. The new FlexPack@Labelexpo exhibition, co-located with Labelexpo Americas 2024 focussed on the complete production chain for flexible packaging from materials selection to laminating and pouch-making. This is also the first show to feature the RFID Experience. This is particularly well timed to show label converters how to meet the Walmart RFID mandate, as well as new retail applications from Amazon.”
She explained that the key challenges for label converters include increasing competition, increasing costs of materials, energy, and labor, the difficulty in finding skilled operators, and consolidation amongst end users (brand owners) and suppliers. She says, “The answer to most of these challenges is to automate the converting operation and reduce energy usage and waste – particularly the waste created during the changeover between jobs. At the same time, converters have the opportunity to diversify into higher value-added markets and applications including flexible packaging and RFID/smart labels. At Labelexpo Americas all these key challenges and opportunities will be addressed by exhibitors on the show floor and at educational and networking events.”
According to the group director, the labels industry continues to grow on average at two percentage points above GDP growth in all global markets. This is true for all label formats including pressure-sensitive and wet glue (glue applied) labels. In-mold labels are also growing, albeit at a slightly lower rate, and shrink sleeves remain the fastest-growing label category. New technology developments, including digital embellishment, wider presses, and hybrid machines open up new opportunities for label converters to add value to all these label formats, allowing them to escape from commodity label production where the most intense competition lies and increase profitability.
