Page 45 - Print21 magazine Mar-Apr 2023

Exhibitions
well as learn how they can make a difference to their label and package printing business.
Richard Quirk, Labelexpo Southeast Asia event manager, commented, “We were delighted
to be back in the Asean region for the first time since the inaugural edition of Labelexpo Southeast Asia in 2018. In that time, the label and package printing industry has moved on significantly, with exciting new trends such as digital embellishment emerging, and this has intensified the appetite for learning.”
Quirk adds, “At the same time, sustainability underscores the entire industry and is now high on the agenda, while self-adhesive label materials is always among our most popular taught topics.”
Workshop speaker Darren Milligan said, “As sustainability
and the circular economy become inevitable for every business, we need to amplify the significance
of a label's role in the circularity
of the entire packaging, and take more proactive steps in response
to the need for sustainable label designs that will enable this. Industry collaboration is key to
the success of this approach.” Milligan addressed key trends
and behaviours in the packaging industry, and looked at how industry can work together across the value chain to stay ahead, through the innovation of sustainable labels.
DIGITAL EMBELLISHMENT
The Digital Embellishment Trail, recently seen at Labelexpo Americas 2022 and Labelexpo India 2022, aimed to highlight the lucrative, fast-growing area of decoration and coating techniques. Examples and samples of these technologies were available to view across the show.
Digital embellishment involves the replacement of analogue tooling and plates with any combination of finishing, such as inkjet varnishing, digitally applied tactile effects, digital foiling and laser die cutting.
Participating companies included Kurz, Grafotronic, Domino and Epson, and all had samples and experts at the show to demonstrate the exciting possibilities of variable embellishment.
The Digital Embellishment
Trail also gave the region’s label converters the first chance to see the results of the partnership
between Grafotronics and Kurz, announced at Labelexpo Americas. This sees Grafotronic combining its converting and finishing solutions with Kurz digital embellishment technology.
Kurz says its patented inkjet on foil technology delivers a seamless application of metallic finishes and bright colour effects, on a wide range of substrates including uncoated papers.
It says this sustainable finishing solution applies decorative finishes with minimal waste, and without
the need for tooling like printing plates or screens, which significantly reduces production time and costs, giving valuable savings to label printing businesses.
“ Digital imaging has revolutionised short run, variable printing and decoration without the use of analogue tooling.”
— Andy Thomas-Emans, Tarsus
Tarsus strategic director Andy Thomas-Emans said, “The Digital Embellishment Trail gave converters the chance to handle samples demonstrating how digital imaging has revolutionised short run, variable printing and decoration without the use of analogue tooling. It is one of the most exciting developments in label technology.”
In other show news, leading agency BJC confirmed its participation, representing HP, Screen, Glunz + Jensen, Hybrid Software, SisTrade, Agfa, X-Rite, Eastcom, Impact, Lasercomb and AsahiKasei. Asahi also had its own stand at the show.
Event manager Richard Quirk commented, “Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2023 was the show that brought together Asean and the wider region’s label and package print community for the first time since the pandemic. So this was the first time these visitors have had the chance to see the astonishing developments in technology across all label sectors from digital and conventional presses to finishing technology, materials and consumables.”
AWA PRESSURE-SENSITIVE LABEL SEMINAR
The AWA Pressure-Sensitive Label Seminar
was billed as a key event for companies and organisations across the value chain – including client companies, associations and strategic partners – covering their market research
needs related to sustainability, technology, and challenges and solutions. The timing of the event aimed to draw industry professionals from around the globe.
AWA said the seminar provided an industry- driven platform for business leaders and professionals to discuss challenges in the pressure-sensitive label industry today, including the disruption of material supply, recycling rates, competition in primary product label application from alternative label formats, and the increasing levels of brand fragmentation.
Delegates had an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the latest product developments and innovations, markets, and business strategies.
The seminar featured presentations and discussions, by key industry experts, on innovation and initiatives in the pressure sensitive industry. Up- to-date information on the market, and its growth opportunities, were highlighted.
In addition to the formal seminar presentations, there were opportunities for networking and discussions through expert panel sessions.
This year’s pressure-sensitive label seminar featured presentations and panel discussions by key industry experts. Topics covered in depth, and provoking thoughtful discussion and debate, included: Supply/Demand Post Covid-19; Pressure-Sensitive Label Growth & Competing technologies; and Pressure-Sensitive Label Challenges & Resiliency.
The opening seminar and AWA Label and Product Decoration Overview came from Corey Reardon, president and CEO, AWA. Brian Wang, application expert, Elkem, spoke on the Development Trend of Release Coating – Green and Diverse Solutions.
Die-Cutting and Converting – Challenges and New Solutions was tackled by Alexander Kai Gablenz, technical support manager, Maxcess; Resilience and Adaptability in Pressure Sensitive Labels was the topic of Wilco Van Zwieten, CEO, Panoval (Asia).
Dr Fan Wu, market research consultant,
AWA gave an AWA Linerless Market Overview, while The Advantages of Linerless Labels and Innovative Solutions, was the subject of a presentation by Iftach Amami, R&D technologist and technical support, Dykam.
Developing Sustainable Solutions for
Pressure Sensitive Labeling was presented
by Hendry Christian, South East Asia sales director, Fedrigoni, before panel discussion on The Pressure-Sensitive Label Market & Future Expectations, led by Corey Reardon, wrapped up the session and the delegates headed off for a cocktail reception.
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