Flexible packaging at Loupe Americas 2026

Flexible packaging forms a core element of Loupe Americas 2026 following steady growth of the technology at Labelexpo shows over the last 12 years. 

Loupe Americas 2026 demonstrates how narrow and mid-web technology developed for label production is being used to convert flexible packaging materials, primarily shrink sleeves and pouches, but also including other roll-to-roll formats including form-fill-seal. 

Label converters have increasingly applied their existing skillsets to the production of short run flexible packaging, creating new marketing opportunities for brand owners and a source of profitable production which fully complements their label business. 

This success has come by offering a niche service where wide-web flexible packaging converters struggle to compete - short run, multi-SKU, customized, value-added, short lead-time, rapid response. 

Loupe Americas 2026 is the only place to see this technology in action. The entire flexible packaging eco-system is represented on the show floor: narrow and mid-web (up to 26in) in-line flexo, digital and hybrid presses, slitters, lamination technology, materials, inks and coatings, embellishment, pouch making and shrink sleeve conversion equipment. 

Flexible focus

Key suppliers are making flexible packaging a central focus of Loupe Americas 2026 alongside their label innovations.

HP Indigo, which kicked off the digital flexible packaging revolution more than a decade ago, brings its HP Indigo 200K Digital Press to the show alongside a narrow web HP Indigo 6K+ press, demonstrating the technology's versatility with both presses printing flexible package and labels. HP Indigo is placing a major emphasis this year on deeper collaboration with its finishing partners, creating complete end-to-end production workflows.

The HP Indigo 200K will produce flexible packaging and shrink sleeve applications that will be finished on Gonderflex’s upgraded 30-inch thermal lamination and coating platform, equipped with JetFx’s digital embellishment solution. The JetFx system meets FDA requirements in the USA, EU food-contact requirements, and Germany’s stringent BfR standards.

Karlville will demonstrate lamination of a job printed on the HP Indigo 200K press using its new Combi laminator, which is capable of handling flexible packaging, shrink sleeves and self-adhesive label applications with options for both solventless and thermal lamination. Also showcased is the Karlville K3 Plus Shrink Sleeve Seamer.

AB Graphic International (ABG) will launch its dedicated flexible packaging division, ABG FlexPack, to the North American market. On the ABG stand will be a Galaxy GS20 Plus pouch manufacturing line integrated with ABG’s Pouch Jet in-line digital embellishment system, the first time this technology has been seen in the region.

Mark Andy will demonstrate live production of printed flexible packaging on its Performance Series S9. The company shows two applications – a ‘dog treat’ pouch and a form-fill-seal pack.  Both jobs will run as 4-color CMYK process plus 2x laydown White. 

Flexible packaging materials are provided for these jobs by long-term Labelexpo exhibitor Multi-Plastics, using inks from Sun Chemical and private-branded tooling. Mark Andy also shows samples of finished pouches manufactured on a Karlville pouch converting line. 

Flint Group Digital Xeikon will be surface-printing pouches live at the show on a Xeikon TX500 digital press based on Titon toner technology. The TX500 press will be printing on Synthogra’s mono-layer barrier flexible packaging material.  
 
Other flexible packaging pouches will be presented by Bobst showcasing their One Complete solution with a combination of pouches printed on a Master M6 press and laminated on a NOVA SX 550 solventless laminator.

Both in-line and offline embellishment of flexible packaging is a really interesting development at Loupe Americas 2026. Alongside the JetFX and ABG Pouch Jet systems noted above, SAPA Intelligent Technology exhibits the DMS digital embellishment line, for shrink sleeves and flexible packaging. The modular roll-to-roll system combines digital foiling, 3D embossing, spot varnish and holographic transfer in a single platform. 

Breit Technologies promotes its latest Cast and Cure embellishment equipment for flexible packaging capable of creating luxurious tactile effects. 

Flexible packaging materials 

Turning to materials, there are a wide range of constructions and applications on show.

Cosmo Films shows its flexible packaging film range, including anti-fog transparent BOPET lidding film for fresh food applications, pet food barrier packaging films, heat-resistant TR-BOPP films and high-barrier BOPP and retort lidding films. Flexcon demonstrates its portfolio of resealable film constructions for flexible packaging applications.

JCR Pack exhibits flexible packaging materials covering shrink films, barrier materials, adhesive tapes, stretch film, zippers, biaxially oriented nylon and absorbent pads.

Nobelus showcases its StrataFlex METPET Thermal Pre-Lams, which are pre-laminated films with a thermally activated adhesive layer. Also on show is the Nobelus specialty finishes range, available as both films and thermal laminates. The portfolio includes soft-touch, rough-touch and holographic finishes, alongside scratch-resistant constructions. New additions to the range include Karess soft touch, FineGrit rough touch and FineGrain.

Avery Dennison promotes its Rapid Roll flexible packaging materials range, which includes paper- and film-faced pouching materials, liquid fillable snack webs and new ChemControl and StickPak portfolios.

Sappi North America demonstrates its fibre-based flexible packaging range of materials, including LusterBag, a high strength FDA-compliant material for ‘dynamic’ filling systems.

Propyplast demonstrates its flexible packaging films alongside its established IML film range.

Protect-all promotes its flexible packaging laminating and top coating technologies. 

Coatings and more

Barrier coating technology allows, in some applications, the replacement of laminated materials with recyclable mono-material flexible packaging constructions. This technology is well represented at Loupe Americas 2026. 

Siegwerk launches a new high-barrier coating for the production of fully recyclable mono-layer polypropylene pouches. The company says its in-line oxygen-barrier white ink system coating delivers the barrier performance, sealing integrity and print quality traditionally associated with complex multi-material flexible packaging. The technology has been shortlisted for a 2026 Labels & Labeling Global Award, with the winners announced on the first day of LOUPE Americas 2026.

Global coatings specialist Archroma Packaging Technologies is exhibiting for the first time, presenting its range of sustainable barrier coatings for fiber-based packaging and flexible packaging.

Inx International Ink demonstrates its nitrocellulose-free Innova Plus NCF and BelleFlora NCF inks developed specifically for flexible packaging production. 
GEW demonstrates its full range of LED-UV systems, both air and water-cooled, which are becoming common for flexible packaging applications due to higher energy efficiency and a reduced heat load compared to mercury lamps.  

A range of other suppliers will demonstrate flexible packaging-related products. 

MIS/ERP specialists Cerm, eProductivity Software and HiFlow Solutions will demonstrate their dedicated flexible packaging modules.

Martin Automatic shows its MBS automatic butt splicer and LRD transfer rewinder for automating flexible packaging and shrink sleeve press lines. KTI also has web automation products suitable for flexible packaging applications, including its ZC/ZG butt splicers and MR-series turret rewinds. 

Ashe Converting Equipment shows for the first time its wide-web duplex centerwind Diamond slitter rewinder, targeted at label converters moving into flexible packaging who need to slit master rolls on demand.

PouchMark Automation demonstrates variable information printing directly onto Mylar and other film pouches and sleeve materials, while International Media Products (IMP) demonstrates its TTR range for coding onto flexible packaging. 

For an update on exhibitors showing flexible packaging products, visit the exhibitor list at Loupe Americas 2026. For more information on all suppliers at Loupe Americas 2026 visit Loupe Americas 2026 website.