Package printing will be a core area at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels. Set to be the biggest ever in its 35-year history, Labelexpo Europe 2015’s show floor and feature areas will put the spotlight on the lucrative commercial opportunities package print production offers. Taking place from 29 Septemberto 2 October, the show is aimed at trade professionals including label and package printers, brand owners and designers. Visitors to the expo will be able to see and source the latest label and package printing solutions from over 600 exhibitors including several Indian companies such as SMI, Multitec and Convertech.
Leading industry suppliers will be present with exhibitor highlights including Soma Engineering showing its mid-web Optima CI press platform to present a completely new concept in flexographic printing presses to the label and package printing industry. More commonly perceived as a wide web press manufacturer, Soma has developed the Optima as a mid-web CI press optimized to run labelstock, paper and film packaging materials, and to bridge the gap between narrow and wide web printing for products such as shrink sleeves, retort stand-up pouches and sachets, in-mold and wraparound labels, as well as paper sacks, cups and plates.
UV for food-grade flexible packaging
In addition, the award-winning Revo team – consisting of Nuova Gidue (recently acquiredby Bobst), Flint Group, Apex International, AVT, DuPont, Esko, UPM Raflatac and packaging converter Adare Group – will bring new technology to Labelexpo Europe demonstrating how low migration UVflexo inks can be used to convert flexible packaging. Currently, most food-grade flexible packaging is printed with either solvent or water-based flexo inks or with solvent gravure. UV has been considered problematic because the photo-initiators can migrate if not fully cured. The Revo team has developed a technology to guarantee that every metre of film within a roll has been fully cured, and that brand colors are consistently matched by a 7-color process ink set.
Covering eight halls, Labelexpo Europe will also host an array of educational feature areas. The Packprint Workshop will give practical insight into how printers can diversify and grow their business with press demonstrations by Xeikon using its 3500 for digital folding cartons and Nilpeter showing its FA flexo press for flexible packaging capabilities.
The Smart Packaging Lab will focus on opportunities in intelligent and active packaging, while the inaugural Packaging Design Studio will give participants a chance to network with some of the industry’s leading creative designers. HP Indigo and partners will present their package printing solutions with the return of the Print Your Future feature area. Visitors will be able to see a wide range of applications, including flexible packaging, shrink sleeves and labels alongside new advanced color management tools and inks. Both the HP Indigo 20000 and WS6800 digital presses will be on display.
Milburn, managing director of the Labelexpo Global Series, explains, “Package printing is now central to the label printing community and Labelexpo experience. With 53% of our total exhibitors showing products for flexible packaging and 32% featuring products for folding cartons, Labelexpo Europe offers all printers the most extensive showcase of package printing solutions available. Nowhere else will print industry professionals find such a comprehensive range of suppliers and technologies which will help gear up their business, improve profitability and add value for their customers.”
