By Cassandra Balentine
Taking place from September 11 through 14, 2023, Labelexpo Europe 2023 presents many new technologies and live demonstrations at Brussels Expo Center in Belgium. With over 600 exhibitors taking part, key focus areas include flexible packaging, digitization and automation.
Here are a sampling of event highlights.
A B Graphic International (ABG) unveils its automation revolution and a portfolio of latest product innovations. The central theme of the ABG stand will revolve around ABG Connect, the company’s automated workflow solution for the labelling industry. Collaborations with CERM result in a plug-and-play solution that uses the latest JDF/JMF messaging format to connect customers’ management information systems to their ABG finishing lines. Additionally ABG and HP Indigo showcase a partnership that has resulted in the addition of non-stop winding technology for the V12 digital press. The collaboration provides a significant enhancement in the automation capabilities offered by the V12. The new non-stop unwind and rewinding system from ABG seamlessly integrates into the V12 production line as a single platform. With the capacity to reach speeds of up to 120 meters per minute, it stands out in terms of performance.
Anytron launches ANY-PRESS. This compact 13-inch label and packaging press features an advanced five-color dry toner press with dual functionality for digital labels and flexible packaging. Its robust LED engine ensures exceptional durability and reliable performance, making it the perfect choice for customers seeking a capable printer. ANY-PRESS supports continuous label printing and laminating functions.
BOBST unveils new product innovations to simplify label production while disclosing fresh strategic alliances and supplier partnerships, aligned with its commitment to advancing the global reach of the business and creating more value for its customers. In line with its industry vision based on the four key pillars—connectivity, digitalization, automation, and sustainability—BOBST demonstrates its dedicated approach to label innovation, addressing the need for impeccable precision at full production speed with cutting-edge solutions. These include a digital label press and an inkjet module for rapid, high-opacity white printing. The company is highlights the importance of industry collaborations as a key driver for growth.
Color-Logic announces certification of the As a certified Color-Logic OEM partner, Gallus will benefit from the new Color-Logic White is the New Gold promotion, which is designed to show printers, graphic designers, and brand marketers the power of digital printing with white ink. Visitors can also see the Color-Logic metallic special effects and embellishments at the SCREEN exhibit. In the Color-Logic area, the company will display SCREEN print samples produced using SCREEN white ink on metallic stock.
Dow highlights its portfolio of next-generation silicone release coatings, acrylics, hot melt, and silicone adhesives, which are designed to enable label performance in a circular economy.
ECO3 demonstrates its portfolio for the flexographic label segment. Based on its long-standing expertise in prepress, ECO3 has now mirrored its successful approach of offering a complete solution to the offset printing industry into the world of flexography. ECO3 offers a complete prepress system for flexo, from editing the designer’s artwork and image quality enhancement to the highest-quality press-ready aqueous flexographic plates.
Eclipse Label Finishing launches two new highly anticipated disruptive products. The LF220LAS targets at the medium to large industrial users and is ideal for companies looking to efficiency finish their labels, whether the label come from a roll or directly from a printer. The INLINE ACU-04 finishing solution is built on the success of the INLINE ACU-01 label finishing machine. Developed with key printers manufacturers it now offers unwinding, laminating, cutting, slitting, removing label excess, and rewinding—all in one.
eProductivity Software showcases its latest portfolio innovations purpose-built for the packaging industry, including labels and flexible packaging. In addition, attendees are able to learn more about the much-anticipated integration between ePS Radius ERP and HP Indigo.
Epson demonstrates its label printing solutions including both Epson SurePress digital label presses—the L-6534VW and L-4733AW, as well as Epson’s ColorWorks on demand color label printers. For North American prospective customers not traveling to Europe for Labelexpo, Epson offers in-person demonstrations of its label presses and printers at its Executive Briefing Center at the Epson America headquarters in Los Alamitos, CA.
Esko and Fiery, LLC announced a new technology partnership to develop innovative solutions that advance digital print technologies and packaging workflows. The companies will collaborate on workflow integrations to more rapidly develop new solutions to help brands and their print suppliers in the digital print and packaging industries.
GEW highlights its full product range with a focus on its air-cooled UV LED system AeroLED. AeroLED’s simplicity of design, reliability, and energy efficiency have set it apart in a crowded marketplace. Its ‘ArcLED’ compatibility enables it to operate side by side with UV arc lamps on a press, has resulted in AeroLED quickly becoming a firm favorite for label and narrow web printers.
GMG Color accelerates its partnership with HP Indigo by showcasing the new GMG ColorProof for HP Indigo solution. At the show, GMG launches a new evolution of its established GMG ColorProof platform, tailored in partnership with HP to leverage the power of digital HP DesignJet proofing.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and its subsidiary Gallus showcases a range of digital solutions. The systems support increased automation of the entire print ecosystem, with the aim of facilitating “smart, connected printing” to address shortage of skilled labor, increase productivity, and reduce waste. For Heidelberg, digital label printing is an attractive market to grow in the digital printing segment, as it has a growth rate of around six percent per year and is, therefore, increasingly turning to digital solutions. The latest innovations from HEIDELBERG and Gallus underscore their commitment to boosting this digital transformation.
HP Indigo demonstrates some of its latest innovations in label printing technology, including the first ever European showcase of the HP Indigo V12 Digital and the recently announced HP Indigo 200K Digital Press. There will be live demonstrations and an application showcase on XR Services and automated workflow solutions, and on the PrintOS Suite, as well as insights from thought leaders about security, brand protection, and sustainability.
HYBRID Software releases iC3D Version 9, which showcases powerful automation capabilities, new features and user-experience improvements. IC3D Suite V9 introduces a major enhancement to its PDF Editor, leveraging cutting-edge technology from HYBRID’S own PDF Libraries to deliver an elevated user experience and pixel-perfect rendering. As users engage with PDF files within iC3D, they can anticipate upgraded performance with faster rendering speed, improved software stability, and advanced functionality. Recognizing the evolving needs of the company’s CLOUDFLOW users, Version 9 offers seamless integration with HYBRID Software’s CLOUDFLOW Plugin Suite.
hubergroup Print Solutions presents its comprehensive service concept as well as its three innovative series for flexographic printing—iray, HYDRO-X, and Gecko.
Infigo demonstrates the ability for converters to take print orders 24/7, from anywhere in the world, as the storefront partner for an entirely automated workflow. During the demonstration, hosted by its partner HP, attendees will see how a personalized beer label can be designed, ordered, and paid for on an Infigo storefront before it is pre-flighted and proofed, placed into the workflow, printed and cut, with minimal human interaction.
Karlville Swiss displays the latest version of our flagship pouch making machine KS-SUP-400-D, on the HP stand (PATIO) as part of the DIGITAL POUCH FACTORY.
Mark Andy showcases how hybrids are increasingly popular among label printers and converters worldwide. Its premier hybrid press, Digital Series HD (DSHD), equipped with our proprietary digital and flexographic print technologies, is highlighted. Printing at speeds up to 240 feet per minute, the Digital Series HD combines high-resolution digital print and best-in-class production capability into a single pass workflow. The Digital Series HD will be equipped with value added print features and an automatic turret rewinder, demonstrating Mark Andy’s ability to provide end of line automation solutions.
Meech International presents an array of technological advancements, demonstrating their commitment to preventing problems and improving productivity within the narrow web, labels, and packaging sectors. Meech exhibits, for the first time, the Hyperion 650QAC. The 650QAC is a high-accuracy ionising bar designed for ESD sensitive applications where static charges need to be controlled at very low levels. The titanium emitter pins are driven by a Quasi AC high-voltage waveform that generates positive and negative ions from each pin. This is vital for the delivery of rapid charge decay with near-zero residual voltage on the object being neutralised, which reduces the risk electrostatic discharge.
Michelman launches DigiPrime Vision 9000, the first in a new series of water-based digital print primers specifically formulated for use in the in-line priming units of HP Indigo Digital Presses. Designed with direct input from press owners and operators, and building upon nearly 20 years of collaborative innovation and deep partnership with HP Indigo, DigiPrime Vision 9000 provides unprecedented performance, ease of use, and compatibility, so that press owners can unleash the full potential of digital printing.
With the Label Automation Suite, automation expert OneVision offers modular software for efficient production processes. Label manufacturers can learn more about the solution at booth 8C12. Together with Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe and MGI Digital Technology, an automated end-to-end production workflow is demonstrated in a live showcase at booth 8C21/22.
POLAR presents the LabelSystem DCC-12 die cutter, featuring industrial control and a 25 percent increase in efficiency.
PPG highlights its portfolio of durable PPG TESLIN label materials for adhesive coaters, packaging specialists, and label converters.
Pulse shares the benefits of both its Monolox Fixed Anilox Printing and its PureTone DC dual cure inks. Visitors to the Pulse booth witness the benefits of using a single anilox volume for their print jobs—made possible thanks to Pulse’s revolutionary PureTone ink range. Since its launch last October, Monolox Fixed Anilox Printing has been helping converters around the world to maximize uptime and reduce ink consumption by standardizing the flexographic process.
S-One Labels & Packaging announces Michelman’s launch of DigiPrime Vision 9000, the first in a new series of water-based digital print primers specifically formulated for use in the inline priming units of HP Indigo Digital Presses.
Sistrade demonstrates its the latest version, Sistrade software V.12.13, introducing several new features and improvements for all companies in the labels, flexible packaging and packaging printing industries. During its presentation, it highlights new functionalities of the Label Technical Sheet, such as the main data repository that, in combination with Graphic Process Management and Digital Job Ticket, contains all the necessary technical data for intelligent production and full data traceability.
theurer showcases solutions for the printing and packaging industry. With its highly specialized software, C3, theurer.com supports the needs of the printing and packaging industry, delivering top-notch solutions, particularly for roll label manufacturers. Highlights include fully automated production planning with artificial intelligence, mobile stock inventory, and its logistics information application.
Xeikon presents the third generation of its market-leading CHEETAH printing technology—CHEETAH 3.0. While Xeikon dry toner technology is already the most food-safe solution on the market, new legislation and brand owner expectations are further advancing demands for more sustainable solutions. In response, Xeikon has developed revolutionary new toners without abandoning the strong values of its existing technology, introducing a higher level of sustainability as a direct response to what is undoubtedly the biggest concern for brand owners and end consumers in today’s market. The development of new ECO toners is also a key component of Xeikon’s sustainability goals, which aim to reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 40 percent in the coming years.
Label Expo Highlights
While Label Expo 2023 is happening across the pond, the announcements are surely relevant here in North America.
Sep2023, DPS Magazine
