25 show stoppers at Labelexpo 2023

AB Graphic International (ABG) will unveil its automation technology and showcase its latest product innovations. The primary focus will be unveiling its new automation technology, ABG Connect. It is a groundbreaking automated workflow solution that streamlines the print and finishing process by connecting all stages into one automated workflow. ABG will also showcase its latest new product innovations, which will include advancements in non-stop winding technology and the new turret rewinder model. Vinsak has been a long-time partner of ABG in India.

Actega will demonstrate its sustainable alternative to traditional metallic decoration, Ecoleaf. This technology enables printers and converters to reduce the environmental impact of metallic decoration on labels and packaging, whilst maintaining the visual impact and quality standards required by brands.

Avery Dennison will unveil its new range of VI and decorative linerless labels. The company believes that the future of labeling is linerless and it has developed a suite of solutions that eliminate the need for a liner, thereby reducing material use and waste and minimising the environmental impact of packaging. At Labelexpo, Avery Dennison will host an event called Connecting. Together.

Bobst will demonstrate a portfolio that includes flexo, digital and all-in-one presses for the widest variety of applications. Look out for: The Bobst Digital Master 340 all-in-one modular and upgradable label press, equipped with the latest UV inkjet technology, will be running live at 100-m/min. Also keep an eye for the high-end Bobst Master M6 flexo press.

Brotech will display the SDFPlus smart modular designed digital printed label converting and finishing system, SDF-E digital label finishing system, SMS shrink sleeve label seaming system, CDF digital label finishing system and TR turret rewind system. The SMS is interesting, since it is specially used for seaming PVC, PET, PE, POF and other colour-printed shrink film materials into roll-shaped packaging materials, beverage labels, etc.

BST will present the BST TubeScan Eagle View, which delivers 100% inspection plus 10x magnification in video inspection. Another highlight that BST will present in realistic packaging and label printing production environments will be the dynamic job change.

Baldwin Technology will launch its new printing inspection software, the PQV 4.0, at the Labelexpo. The new printing inspection software promises to take the complexity out of printing jobs. In an industry with tight margins, printers need to run an even tighter operation. Any unnecessary downtime, material waste, and reruns can make or break your business. The PQV 4.0 helps save time and labour.

Domino will showcase the N730i digital UV inkjet label press along with the K600i variable data printer integrated with the new K300 high resolution inkjet. Deemed as one of the latest global technology advancements, the N730i digital UV inkjet label press prints at 1,200-dpi with Bitstar print head technology.

Dow will showcase the next generation silicone release coatings, acrylics, and silicone adhesives for label performance in a circular economy. Dow’s high-speed Syl-off release coating solutions are future-proofed for up to 1,300-m/ min and enable quicker production rates with lower curing temperatures, stronger anchorage and reduced misting to allow for greater efficiency and reduced downtime.

Esko will showcase the CDI Crystal XPS 4835, AVT Helios System and Esko Phoenix. Labelexpo visitors will see how a connected Esko ecosystem of automated workflow, flexo platemaking, digital printing, and automated print inspection tools can deliver consistent label and packaging performance from concept to market.

Gallus, a subsidiary of Heidelberger, will celebrate its 100 years in business as well as the opening of its landmark facility, the Gallus Experience Centre. The company will also highlight the Gallus One digital label press. Launched in August 2022, it was designed to remove the total cost of ownership barrier for the adoption of reel-to-reel digital labels with the highest level of automation and cloud-based technologies. Built on the Gallus Labelmaster press platform, Gallus One is a 340-mm wide roll-to-roll UV inkjet digital inline labels press.

GEW, the UV curing systems manufacturer, will showcase its air-cooled UV LED system, AeroLED. It is a high-power system for full cure, printing, coating and converting applications up to 60-cm wide. An innovative design update makes AeroLED compatible with GEW’s ArcLED system.

HB Fuller will introduce Swifttak PS 8405, its water-based pressure- sensitive adhesive with non-water whitening properties. Designed for those seeking a premium PET label with a no-label look, this water-based PSA offers remarkable benefits.

HP Indigo will showcase the 200K Digital Press, which is the successor to the HP Indigo series 4 presses HP Indigo 20000 and 25K digital presses. These presses have dominated the digital flexible packaging market up to now. Also showing for the first time in Europe will be the high-speed HP Indigo V12 digital press, alongside the established HP Indigo 6K digital press.

Henkel will showcase its comprehensive pressure-sensitive adhesives product portfolio and a wide range of new PSA products for the label market. The company will display innovative and sustainable PSA products and solutions to enable the label industry to improve food safety, container recycling and waste management.

Iwasaki will display its intermittent flexo press IF330 at the show. Launched in 2015, the machine is ideal for short to medium-run jobs, where a converter can print various sizes of jobs in just one cylinder. Explaining the benefits of the IF 330, Iwasaki says, if a customer has a full rotary flexo press, the customer can use the same ink (UV flexo ink) and the same plate with their machine. It can also be used for proof printing, even though it takes a lot of time to do proof printing in full rotary flexo press. It doesn’t need a lot of things compared to a full rotary press, and the job change is quick. The machine structure is simple and durable, and automatic registration is available. Compared to letterpress, one doesn’t have to care about colour adjustment, and compared to digital, one can save metre cost and monthly fees. In India, Iwasaki is represented by Vinsak. 

Jindal SMI will present two new products. Of this, the polyolefin base conformable PP Polyolefin film delivers conformability and flexibility for label applications with converting characteristics. Available in both clear and white finish, it is 40% thinner compared to usual PE films which will help add value in sustainability.

Konica Minolta will have five running systems. One is the AccurioLabel 400 single-pass digital press, launched a year ago. Another involves the toner-based entry-level AL 230 press being configured with MGI’s DC 330 Mini. Also there will be MGI’s JETvarnish 3D Web Compact and Octopus web machines, together with Konica Minolta’s PKG-1300 – designed for corrugated manufacturers, converters, printers and brand owners looking for short-run digital inkjet box printing.

Lombardi Converting Machinery will showcase the latest versions of its Synchroline and Invicta presses, along with a preview of the next generation of its mid-web flagship press, the Invicta I2, a prototype print unit will be on display. The 26-inch-wide Invicta press line is targeted at the market for short-run, value-added flexible packaging as well as other unsupported label film applications, including shrink sleeves. The Synchroline press platform is presented with a new electronic control system, making it digital-ready for future integration with full-colour VDP or digital embellishment modules. A number of conventional embellishment modules will be on display. The company will also present detailed information on its Astra Hybrid Inkjet/conventional solutions. A major focus will be on new digital service solutions, including predictive maintenance software supported by an increase in after-sales staff. One of the live demonstrations will see Lombardi press printing on recycled ocean plastic in collaboration with UPM Raflatac, highlighting companies' significant role in environmental conservation. Vinsak represents Lombardi in India.

Monotech Systems will showcase the Jetsci dSpark digital label varnish and cold foiling label embellishment press. The company will also highlight another star product from its portfolio, the Jetsci KolorSmart+. Whether customers require short-run or long-run with quick job changeover, versioning, variable data, or security printing, the KolorSmart+ UV inkjet label production press is the ultimate solution.

Nilpeter will present the mid-web (26-inches) Nilpeter FA-26, which is targeted at short-run, value-added flexible packaging and unsupported film applications. The company will also showcase an FA-17 flexo press fitted with the new digital varnish bar, seamlessly replacing traditional varnishing techniques. Nilpeter will also premiere its Digital Shadow technology, capturing crucial data on usage, performance, and maintenance needs.

Prati, celebrating its 50th year, will promote its DigiFastone digital finishing line, which utilises the company’s Futura open platform technology that can be easily upgraded in the field. This fully digital line includes an inkjet module, laser die cutting, and turret rewind, enabling the production of short-run promotional labels for various industries, including food and beverage, wine and spirits, cosmetics, personal care, and home care. DigiFastone is capable of producing tactile effects and textures, decorations, and textures up to 130m, as well as Braille and Marburg Medium printing for pharmaceutical products. Additionally, the system generates minimal waste, reduces setup times, and provides a register accuracy of 0.15mm. Mumbai-based Royal Coat is Prati’s India partner.

Siegwerk will introduce its portfolio of UV, LED-UV, solvent-based and water-born ink systems, including special whites suitable for shrink sleeves used for non-food and food packaging applications. It will also showcase its newly developed TMPTA-free LED-UV curing systems Sicura Flex Dual Cure for non-food applications as well as SicuraNutriflexLEDTec for food, pharma and hygiene packaging applications.

Tresu, a leading provider of flexographic printing technology and coating solutions, will introduce a variant of the third-generation L-series coating circulator: Tresu H5i G3 for high-performance circulation with high flow, high viscosity, high speed, high temperatures and high pressure. The Tresu H5i G3 is designed for the automation of special coating applications enabling sheetfed and web offset printers to save resources while exploiting high-speed coating with full control and no risk of micro-foaming and blisters.

UPM Raflatac will showcase its solutions for labelling. This includes label material products and services to enable reduce, recycle, renew and reuse. Highlights within the recycle category are the Ocean Action Labels, made from ocean-bound plastic waste, and the PureCycle paper wash-off labels, which separate from primary packaging in PET and HDPE recycling streams.

If you have Labelexpo information which you would like to share, please contact Noel D'Cunha: noel@haymarketsac.com