The four-day show, which will conclude on Thursday 14 September, is set to present more new technologies and live demonstrations than any previous show, with over 600 exhibitors taking part.
Key focus areas for new technology launches will include flexible packaging, digitisation, and automation.
Confirmed digital print exhibitors include Xeikon, Screen, and HP, with the latter also set to host a leadership panel at 11am on Tuesday 12 September. Industry leaders on the panel will discuss macro-economic trends impacting the labels and package printing industry including sustainability, labour shortages, and automation.
Flexo will also make a major comeback at the show, with Nilpeter, Lombardi, and Bobst set to demonstrate the printing of flexible packaging and unsupported label film materials on 26in/670mm mid-web UV flexo press lines.
OMET will mark the show debut of its KFlex modular flexo platform while Mark Andy will launch the Pro Series flexo press, which is upgradable to a hybrid machine.
Sustainability will be another key theme, with new launches including UPM Raflatac’s Ocean Action plastics label, sourced from ocean-bound plastics waste, while Avery Dennison’s AD LinrSave and AD LinrConvert linerless label systems will be targeted at the prime label market.
Visitors will also be able to attend an expert-led masterclass organised by The Label Academy, which will cover sustainable labels and packaging.
Major show features will include the Automation Arena, which will feature a full ‘lights out’ production workflow.
Visitors will be able to see a fully automated workflow, from file creation to turret rewind with automated inspection and MIS integration, without any manual intervention. The participants include CERM, Esko, Xeikon, KURZ, Grafotronic, and Fedrigoni Self-Adhesive.
On another feature, the Flex Pack Trail, visitors will be able to learn 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. This is supported by a Label Academy masterclass on flexible packaging.
A new feature this year is Flexo’s Future – ECG, a series of presentations and guided tours on Expanded Colour Gamut (ECG) printing. Daily presentations by ECG expert 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.
Visitors will also have 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, including a focus on sustainable branding.
Jade Grace, managing director of Labelexpo Global Series, said: “The volume of exhibitors participating at this year’s show has been truly incredible, not only in the number of returning companies, but also the number of new exhibitors joining us for the first time.
“We can promise visitors an exciting show across nine halls where they will see a burst of new technology and products, everything from pre-press to materials, eco and sustainable products and digital and conventional print and converting technology.
“Add to this a world-leading series of educational events, our focus on automation, flexible packaging, sustainability and expanded colour gamut for label converters and you have an unmissable Labelexpo experience. We can’t wait to welcome all visitors and exhibitors next week at Brussels Expo.”
The show will be the final outing in the capital of Belgium for Labelexpo Europe, which is set to move to Barcelona, Spain in 2025.
Major product launches will be covered by Printweek next week and in a round-up feature in the upcoming October/November issue of the magazine.
