Labelexpo Europe 2023 returns to Brussels Expo

Registration for Labelexpo Europe 2023, the world’s largest label and package printing technology trade show, is now open. This will be the first time Labelexpo Europe has been held at Brussels Expo since 2019. From 11-14 September, the biennial show promises to be an unforgettable experience, featuring hundreds of live demonstrations, product launches, three expert-led masterclasses and special events focused on automation and flexible packaging.

Aimed at label and flexible packaging converters, brand owners and packaging designers, Labelexpo Europe 2023 covers nine halls with over 600 exhibitors across four days. Leading suppliers taking part include ABG, Avery Dennison, Bobst, Domino, Durst, Epson, Fujifilm, Gallus, HP, Kocher & Beck, Konica Minolta, Mark Andy, MPS, Nilpeter, OMET, and Xeikon.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors will get the opportunity to attend three expert-led masterclasses organised by The Label Academy, an Automation Arena, and a Flex Pack Trail.

The popular educational programme will comprise of three half-day masterclasses which will cover wine labelling markets and technology, flexible packaging and sustainable labels and packaging.

Additionally, visitors will also get the chance to attend the Dieline Forum, a two-day design conference that will explore the latest trends and innovations shaping the brands of tomorrow. With a focus on sustainability, the Dieline Forum will dive into the strategies and practices that are capturing the hearts and wallets of Gen Z and Millennials, who are increasingly drawn to eco-friendly products and brands.

At the Flex Pack Trail, visitors will be able to learn more about digital and conventional press technologies, flexpack material constructions, coating, laminating, ink and curing requirements, in-line and near-line decoration options, QC and migration testing. Live demonstrations will take place and visitors will be able to take the trail at their own leisure.

Printing of both filmic and paper-based flexible packaging materials will be demonstrated by a number of suppliers including HP Indigo on its new 200k digital press, Xeikon on the new TX500 Titon toner press, Screen on the Truepress Pac520P – seen for the first time at a Labelexpo - and Lombardi and Bobst on mid-web UV flexo press lines.

The Automation Arena features a full ‘lights out’ production workflow, from file creation to digital printing and converting. The participants include CERM, Esko, AVT, Xeikon and Grafotronic. As well as automated setup and inspection of both printing and converting processes, the CERM MIS will collect real-time information via a Cloud portal which visitors will be able to monitor on their own smart devices. CERM will demonstrate printing of closing labels on each roll on the turret rewind.

A new feature for Labelexpo Europe is Flexo’s Future – ECG, a series of presentations and guided tours on Expanded Colour Gamut (ECG) printing. Daily presentations by renowned ECG expert Dr Kai Lankinen will take place on the show floor, examining all aspects of fixed colour palette printing, where up to seven inks (CMYK+OGV) are used to reproduce spot colours. The presentations will address questions such as why is ECG not more widely used in the labels industry? What are the requirements to implement a successful ECG workflow? And what are the sustainability and efficiency advantages?

Taking place on the first evening of the show, 11 September, is the Label Industry Global Awards ceremony, themed as ‘Crowning the Industry’s Champions’. The awards highlight the key achievements and successes of individuals and companies working in the label and package printing sector. Malcolm Rae of GEW will receive the Global Achievement Award, and the winners of the other categories – Rising Star, Team Achievement, Innovation, Sustainability and Converter of the Year – will be announced on the night.

Labelexpo Europe 2023 is again strongly supported and endorsed by trade bodies FINAT, EUWID, Febelgra, SPPES, UNFEA and VskE.

Jade Grace, managing director of Labelexpo Global Series, said: We are delighted to be running Labelexpo Europe again and can promise visitors an extraordinary show across nine halls. We will see an explosion of cutting-edge technology launched at the show, everything from pre-press to materials, and digital and conventional print and converting technology. Add to this a world-leading series of educational events and our focus on Automation and Flexible Packaging for label converters and you have an unmissable Labelexpo experience.

An early bird booking discount applies until 25^th August. To register, visit https://www.labelexpo-europe.com/