ACQUISITIONS & EVOLUTIONS

Inkon Labels: a quarter century of getting it right

There’s a difference between staying in business and staying relevant. Inkon Labels has spent 25 years navigating that gap. The Sasolburg-based converter didn’t grow by chasing…

Flat out performance

The 2 600mm-wide EVO blown film system was officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting event at Tropic’s Durban facility in March, drawing attention not only…

RAM runs with the RHINO

The acquisition of advanced printing technology used globally to meet strict quality standards marks a milestone for RAM Labels. The Cape-based company has also…

Fluid by design

On paper, Fluid Science operates in a sector most consumers never encounter. Its products are used across industries from mine haul trucks and offshore…

Pouch power

Johann Pietersen, specialised product manager at Acepak, walked us through the company’s evolving capabilities in pouch-filling technology. Unlike many players in the market, Acepak doesn’t…

Flexo at scale

On the factory floor at PLP Labels at Mega Park in Bellville South one thing stands out: an empty space reserved for a new…

EFFICIENCIES

Skin deep, label smart

The pressure starts with pace. Few sectors are moving as fast. We see new variants, influencer-led drops and seasonal ranges, all while SKU counts…

Precision partners for converters

The latest trends in the South African labelling sector show a fundamental shift underway. For companies navigating this change, it means re-evaluating priorities and…

Slit quality drives narrow web performance

Walk into a modern narrow web operation and discussion often centres on inks, plates and press speeds. What receives less attention is the role…

Function first in fresh produce packaging

With over 25 years in the food and fresh produce packaging sector, AGQPE has built a reputation in South Africa for supplying complete packaging systems rather…

Cutting edge, not corners

Packaging buyers are demanding shorter runs, faster turnaround and greater personalisation, making finishing a critical stage of modern print. At Pleekō Print Studio, that reality has…

Built to perform

THE SDP 501Z Delta, commissioned by Kamboo, the local agent for XL Plastics Machinery, was installed to address waste, inconsistency and downtime. Operations manager Mike…

SUSTAINABILITY

Floating the label question

A recent GreenCape and Plastic Reboot study has added weight to that discussion, identifying PET, PETG and PVC shrink sleeves on PET bottles as…

Closing the materials loop

Pressure on the plastics value chain continues to grow, and in 2026 sustainability is increasingly judged by measurable outcomes rather than public commitments. For…

Walk the talk: SA packaging faces the greenwash test

‘Eco-friendly’ has become a persuasive shorthand. It reassures consumers, signals corporate responsibility and differentiates brands in crowded retail spaces. Yet behind the green icons…

MetPac-SA registers 128 waste pickers in EPR drive

More than 128 waste pickers were successfully registered on the Amplo system and issued official waste picker cards, unlocking access to service fee payments…

Closing the loop on beverage labels

Consumer demand for transparency now extends beyond ingredients to environmental impact, making packaging a key differentiator. For CCL Label, this shift underscores a simple reality:…

Seal the deal, save the fibre

Paper and board packaging’s sustainability depends on more than changing from plastic to fibre. It’s in the details: the type of adhesive, the surface…

DIGITAL

In swift fashion

From product packaging to industrial and technical applications, Swift Labels offers a diverse portfolio of labels designed to meet every challenge. The range includes polyolefin, thermal,…

Digital, customised, sustainable: the future of cap manufacturing

SACMI has been a world leader for the production of crown caps manufacturing plants for over 70 years and leads the market in plastic…

Comexi goes digital

‘The Comexi Digiflex offers pre-eminent digital printing of variable data such as Datamatrix variable codes, QR codes, barcodes, alphanumeric text and other numbering and…

GSW drives digital growth across 27 markets

MD and founder Robert Franco explains that GSW has always ensured that customers in South and sub-Saharan Africa have access to a one-stop shop…

Midcomp delivers on digital market dynamics

The industry has been talking about these global trends for years and now it is statistically proven that the ‘one size fits all’ era…

Digital printing brings art to life on coffee bags

According to business development executive, Wendy McLoughlin, print service providers (PSPs) are driving rapid growth in the digital flexible packaging arena. By honing in…

Packaging Spotlight

ROTOCON uncorks the next vintage of label design talent

As a primary driver of consumer choice, the leap from creative concept to press-ready label can make or break on-shelf impact. Addressing this challenge…

CCL highlights circular label technology at interpack 2026

What is the central theme of CCL Label’s presence at interpack? Our focus is on designing labels that support recycling systems rather than disrupt…

SealGlobal.Co puts SA packaging on the global stage

At the 2025 IPSA Gold Pack Awards, SealGlobal.Co earned two major honours: the Local Technical Development Award and a gold medal in the Packaging-Related category for LabelSeal®…

Rolling out innovation

Its Oh So Heavenly roll-on deodorant container, created for Canway, combines precise engineering with thoughtful design. Sales and marketing director Sean Kirkham explains: ‘It’s wonderful…

What the fish? Sushi carton reels in gold

The sushi carton marks a milestone for Famous Brands’ ongoing sustainability mission and sets a new benchmark for technical innovation in quick-service packaging. For Bill…

Gold, without the gimmicks

At the IPSA Gold Pack Awards 2025, Bidvest Labels Rotolabel walked away with a trio of accolades that underscored its ability to deliver packaging that performs…

News Categories