The doors to the landmark show
till date - the 40th anniversary edition of Labelexpo Europe 2019 has opened
its doors in Brussels. With over 600 exhibitors taking part in the biggest
label and package printing event in the world between 24-27 September, this
edition of the show is set to be its largest to date.
Over 200 of the exhibitors are
new this year, and are displaying their latest innovations to an international
buyer audience of printers, suppliers, brand owners and designers. This
includes Canon, whose Océ LabelStream 4000 series UV inkjet press is making its
show debut, and Memjet, who are unveiling their third generation printing
technology which features new print widths and a long-life 4-color printhead.
Other newcomers include GMG, Lambda Technology, Shanghai Spande Intelligent
Equipment Co. Ltd, and Siltech Ltd.
Reflecting the size of the show,
Labelexpo Europe 2019 is presenting the largest offering of technologies and
live demonstrations seen to date, with an increasing number of product launches
for the fast growing areas of hybrid printing, flexible packaging and
automation. This includes: Bobst, who are unveiling a new hybrid flexo press;
and MPS, who are launching a new 17”/430mm edition of the hybrid EF Symjet
press. This is presented for the first time with an exclusive Domino digital
N617i inkjet printer, in a wider 17”/430mm width. Mark Andy is unveiling a new
entry- to mid-level digital hybrid press, which will be demonstrated live at
the show with advanced in-line converting.
Flexible packaging machinery
launches come from exhibitors including OMET, with their new X7. This is a
flexo printing machine for labels and flexible packaging with 670mm (26”) web
width and the latest in their XFlex line. Lombardi is unveiling its Invicta i2
line, designed for flexible packaging in the mid web sector.
Other press launches include
Gallus, who are unveiling their Digital Printbar digital embellishing unit
designed specifically for opaque white and using inkjet-based digital print
technology. Konica Minolta are premiering their recently launched AccurioLabel
230, a new version of its digital toner press, while Nilpeter is launching its
17” wide FA-Line press featuring cold foil, lamination and their new high-speed
semi-rotary die-cutting unit. Grafotronic is showcasing seven new models out of
total eleven machines presented at the show, of which four are new fully
modular digital finishing machines. CERM, Esko, Sistrade, Gutenberg and CADlink
Technology are among the companies presenting their latest digital management
information software for automation.
Lisa Milburn, managing director
of Labelexpo Global Series, said: “The exhibitor participation this year has
been truly incredible, not only in the number of returning companies, but also
the newcomers joining us for the first time as this 40th anniversary edition of
Labelexpo Europe, is set to be our largest show to date. It is astonishing to
think that at the first show there were just 44 exhibitors - proof of how far
the industry has grown in the last four decades.”
Jan Eisby, Chief Sales Officer,
Vetaphone - which is exhibiting four
machines - added: “You’ll not get a better opportunity to make direct
comparisons in technology in one location until Labelexpo returns to Brussels
in 2021. It’s more than 20 years since
we first exhibited at Labelexpo Europe and have been privileged to see how the
industry has grown and thrived in the intervening years. We’ve seen flexo become a high-quality
process, the launch and development of digital technology, and most recently
the arrival of hybrids.”
Show visitors are going to have
an exclusive opportunity to see two press lines in action at the show’s main
feature, the Flexible Packaging Arena. A Xeikon CX500 (digital) and a Bobst M6
(UV Flexo) will be producing indirect food contact flexible packaging to the
latest GMP standards, and live demonstrations will be taking place throughout
the four days of the show. In addition, HP Indigo will be offering live
demonstrations of digital pouch making showcasing the HP Indigo 20000 digital
press, Pack Ready Lamination, and the Karlville pouch-making machine making its
show debut on their stand. Other HP innovations at the show include HP Indigo
8000 Digital Press, which will run in line with the ABG Fast Track die, and the
best-selling HP Indigo 6900 Digital Press, which can be seen in action
showcasing an integrated Kurz DM-Jetliner finishing module.
Materials, inks and finishing manufacturers will
be especially well represented, with product launches from companies including:
Pulse Roll Label Products, who are unveiling the next evolution of UV flexo
printing inks; S-OneLP, who are launching their Sustainable ByDesign portfolio
of solutions for recyclable and compostable flexible packaging; AstroNova
TrojanLabel will premier two new products, the T2-L narrow-format water-based
inkjet press with added laminating capabilities, and the T3-OPX next-generation
overprinting solution which can print directly onto a wide range of surfaces.
