A glimpse into the future: reviewing Labelexpo Europe 2023

As one of the premier events in the label and packaging industry, Labelexpo Europe has consistently been a barometer of the latest trends, innovations and technologies in the field. The 2023 edition did not disappoint, offering a comprehensive look into the future of label production and packaging.

The first edition of Labelexpo Europe (since 2019) ended off on a high note at the Brussels Expo centre in Belgium, with a total of 637 exhibitors taking part in the show, spread across nine halls and covering 36 588m2 of floor place. This year’s show featured over 250 product launches focused particularly on flexible packaging, digitisation and automation. 

The unprecedented heatwave in Brussels did not deter the 35 889 visitors from 138 countries attending the four-day show. Countries such as Germany, France and Italy were especially well represented, with large visitor delegations. Equipment manufacturers announced multiple sales and an exhibitor rebook rate of 96% was reported for Labelexpo Europe 2025, which will take place in Barcelona, Spain.

Demonstrating how Labelexpo Europe is evolving into a package printing show, digital printing of paper-based flexible packaging materials was evident, with paper-based packaging printed by Xeikon on the new TX-500 Titon toner press and SCREEN on the Truepress Pac520P – seen for the first time at a Labelexpo. 

HP launched the 200k mid-web digital press, successor to the successful HP Indigo 20000. The company also ran a ‘digital pouch factory’ ecosystem demonstrating pouch manufacturing and finishing of other unsupported films including shrink sleeve labels. 

Flexo made a major comeback at this show, with Nilpeter, Lombardi and BOBST demonstrating printing of flexible packaging and unsupported label film materials on 670mm mid-web UV flexo press lines. OMET made the show the debut of its KFlex modular flexo platform and Mark Andy launched the Pro Series flexo press, upgradable to a hybrid machine.

Jade Grace, managing director of Labelexpo Global Series said: ‘We’ve just delivered Labelexpo Europe 2023 after a four-year break and what a show it’s been! The feedback we received from visitors and exhibitors alike has consistently shown the high quality of leads, enquiries and contacts made, with an incredible number of sales secured on the exhibition floor. We have also secured a rebook rate of 96% for Labelexpo Europe 2025, which bodes well for our first show in Barcelona.’

Continued Jade: ‘I’d like to thank all our exhibitors for your partnership and commitment in supporting the diverse and exciting industry of labels and package printing, together with us. Thank you to all who visited from 138 countries, and to our association and media partners. It has been the hardest show yet for us to deliver, but the most rewarding. We are looking forward to the next chapter in 2025 where we will be bringing Labelexpo Europe to its new home at the Fira in Barcelona, with many plans to stimulate industry growth and collaboration.’

Other major show features for Labelexpo Europe 2023 included the Automation Arena which drew large crowds to its 10 live demonstrations. Visitors witnessed a fully automated workflow from file creation to turret rewind with automated inspection and MIS integration, without any manual intervention. The participants included CERM, Esko, Xeikon, KURZ, Grafotronic and Fedrigoni Self-Adhesive.

Another key show feature was the Flex Pack Trail, where visitors could deep dive into digital and conventional press technologies, flexible packaging material constructions, coating, laminating, ink and curing requirements, inline and near-line decoration options, QC and migration testing.

Also well received was Flexo’s Future: ECG, a series of presentations on Expanded Colour Gamut (ECG) printing led by Dr Kai Lankinen. This was supported by guided tours across the show floor. 

A joint presentation by Graphimecc and Avery Dennison on setting up a track and trace operation was also well attended. Two expert-led Label Academy-hosted master classes covered the hot topics of flexible packaging and sustainable labels.

Pierre Dogliani, R&D innovation manager for Flint Group Europe, who spoke at the sustainable labels and packaging master class said: ‘Engaging in this educational platform has been an enriching experience, and it’s been very inspiring to observe the immense enthusiasm among participants when exploring the realm of sustainable inks and coatings. I believe these insights offered attendees a broader and more informed perspective on sustainability in the label industry.’

PPM’s junior publisher Samantha Moore and business manager Glywnnis Wells attended the show.