Africa

S Kumar eyes East Africa expansion with Zonten

Akanksha Meena — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:46:00 +0000

Conventional printing 19 January 2026

S Kumar eyes East Africa expansion with Zonten

Chinese press manufacturer Zonten is targeting East Africa through its distributor network. The manufacturer sees opportunities for affordable, quality machinery.

S Kumar, an India-based distributor of Zonten presses and converting machines, is eyeing the East African market with plans to establish a local presence in Kenya to service the region, including Tanzania and Uganda, in 2026.

The move aims to tap into what Manish Hansoti, managing director of the company, describes as a market that’s ripe for opportunity, and one with demand for affordable label and packaging equipment.

‘We are planning to start operations for Zonten in East Africa, mainly in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda,’ Hansoti says. ‘We have had a few installations recently, and most printers in the region are Indian-owned. They rely on support from India because they are connected to the Indian market.’

He sees geographical proximity, that’s well-connected by air, as a strategic advantage. ‘There are several fl ights from Ahmedabad and Mumbai to the Middle East and Africa within a span of eight to 10 hours, which allows us to provide timely service and support,’ Hansoti adds.

S Kumar, which has already installed presses in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, believes East Africa represents one of the few remaining untapped regions. ‘This is a virgin market, there’s not much presence of machine suppliers yet,’ Hansoti says. ‘The neighboring countries are getting saturated, so we’re looking to set up something new in this region.’

Affordable technology

Zonten’s product range includes a mix of small slitting and converting equipment as well as high-end flexo to semi-rotary and full-rotary offset presses. The company showcased an economical flexo model with two servo drives and flower type mode at Labelexpo Europe 2025, designed specifically for price-sensitive markets, such as Africa and other countries. This machine can print all types of substrates like paper, fi lm, shrink sleeve, IML and 300gsm board and runs at 160m/min. The ZTR-FL series 370/430/ 560 size modular flexographic press showcases its versatility with features such as UV/LED curing, die-cutting, slitting, cold foil capabilities and online inspecting facility as an optional feature.

The company’s highlights at the show included the ZTJ Series intermittent offset press, which delivers high-resolution output, precise color control and minimal waste, making it suitable for short to mid-run label production.

Zonten has already installed several units of ZTJ series in India and is now promoting it across Africa. S Kumar has recently installed second intermittent offset press at Ramdoot Packaging.

We have had a few installations recently, and most printers in the region are Indian-owned. They rely on support from India

Zonten also debuted the ZTD-350 hybrid digital-flexo press with Epson printheads which combines W + CMYKW digital printing with flexo enhancements for variable data and fast job changeovers. Additionally, the ZMQ Series Multi Converting System demonstrates a compact, all-in-one approach that integrates flexo, flatbed hot foil, screen printing, cold foil, intermittent die-cutting, IML cutting and sheeting.

The ZMQ press is designed for embellishment on digital printed or offset/flexo printed labels. Recently, a customer from Nairobi has installed the embellishment unit to support its digital press.

Supporting local converters

Initial installations have included stack-type flexo presses, embellishment machines, die-cutters and hot foil converting equipment in East Africa.

These machines complement existing digital printing setups such as HP Indigo presses in the region.

S Kumar plans to appoint a local marketing and engineering representative to ensure timely service and customer support.

‘You cannot provide the required support without a local presence. Initially, we’ll have a resident engineer who can handle both technical and marketing functions, and we’ll see how it develops,’ Hansoti explains.

The company is particularly interested in the food, healthcare, beverage, lubricant oil and pharmaceutical markets, which are experiencing strong growth in East Africa. These segments are expanding rapidly and the company aims to support converters who cater to these markets.

S Kumar is focusing on providing scalable technology that grows with the region’s printing capabilities. Initially, customers may not invest in high-end models, but Hansoti believes that as the market grows, the company will grow with it.

As S Kumar prepares to enter the East African market, the company sees the move not only as a business opportunity but also as a step toward building a long-term partnership with regional converters.

‘We see strong potential in this region,’ Hansoti concluded. ‘Our goal is to grow together with our customers and support the development of a more self-sufficient printing ecosystem in East Africa.’

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Labelexpo rebrands as Loupe

Piotr Wnuk — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 22:36:42 +0000

Associations, events & awards 12 January 2026

Labelexpo rebrands as Loupe

The first show under the new event branding will be Loupe Americas 2026.

Labelexpo rebrands to Loupe, as the event organizers move toward a broader embrace of additional printed packaging segments, while maintaining its focus on the label market.

The label converting industry is undergoing a transformation, creating ‘one-stop’ package printing operations that encompass the full range of packaging formats. Label converters have already diversified into flexible packaging and are identifying new opportunities in folding cartons. Loupe Global events will reflect that change.

‘You can see it all over the show floor at Labelexpo. Label converters are not just converting labels anymore. They’re adding cartons and flexible packaging into their portfolios,’ says Loupe Global managing director Jade Grace. ‘The show needed to evolve alongside the industry.’

Grace says the decision to change the name did not come lightly. The organizers had been exploring that direction for years, but the conversations gained further momentum after the Europe 2023 event, when over 25 percent of visitors had registered an interest in folding carton and 40 percent in flexible packaging. Grace says those numbers had been trending upward in the years prior.

“One thing should be perfectly clear: Labelexpo isn’t dead; but the event is going through a rebirth with labels at the center of it”

In fact, Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director for Informa’s Labels Group (the company owns both Labelexpo/Loupe and Labels & Labeling), says the name change was years in the making.

‘It seems amazing now, but we actually first considered changing the name of Labelexpo back in the early 2000s when Comco ProGlide MSP in-line flexo presses were converting shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and folding cartons,’ Thomas-Emans says. ‘It was clear even then that this was the future, but the labels industry was more fragmented, mostly small to medium-sized family businesses that were making great money from labels.

‘Today, that landscape has changed,’ he continues. ‘Today, we see widespread consolidation with multi-site groups often incorporating labels, flex pack and folding carton operations. And in a fiercely competitive labels market with lower levels of growth, label converters are finding flexible packaging produces higher margins and perfectly complements their label business.’

Further, the name change was widely supported by the industry. Labelexpo hired a brand agency to conduct in-depth research with industry stakeholders, including suppliers, converters and trade associations.

‘The results came up overwhelmingly in favor of a rebrand, much, actually, to the surprise of the management team,’ Grace says. ‘Since then, we’ve done a lot of work with branding agencies, internally, with stakeholders and associations.

‘One thing should be perfectly clear: Labelexpo isn’t dead; but the event is going through a rebirth with labels at the center of it. Label printing and converting is still at the very core and foundation of our group, so I don’t want the industry to lose sight of that.’

Thomas-Emans adds: ‘The idea behind the Loupe rebrand is not to become a “print everything” show like Drupa, or a packaging show like Fachpack or PackExpo. We are focused on how the core print technology developed for the labels industry – in-line, digital and hybrid – that will disrupt the flexible packaging and folding carton converting industries. You will not see a CI, gravure or offset press at Loupe, as we are not trying to compete at that end of the market. We are all about short-run, added value production of labels, flexible packaging and folding cartons.’

Market changes

Over 25 percent of exhibitors at Labelexpo Europe 2025 have portfolios that reach across labels, flexible packaging and folding carton sectors.

Flexible packaging is no stranger to Labelexpo shows. For years, it has been largely seen as a ‘natural evolution’ for the label industry that leverages a label converters’ existing strengths – adaptability, diversity and speed – and puts them in a position to serve one of the packaging industry’s fastest growing segments. In more recent years, mid-web machinery from both flexo and digital manufacturers has become commonplace.

‘By leveraging their existing assets, embracing new substrates and aligning with global trends, [label converters] can unlock new revenue streams, deepen customer relationships and future-proof their businesses,’ says Chris Ellison, managing director of OPM Group, a UK-based converter who pioneered the move into flexible packing nearly 20 years ago.

Ellison also served as an Industry Ambassador for Labelexpo Europe 2025. ‘The flexible packaging market is no longer a distant opportunity; it’s a present-day imperative. For label converters ready to innovate, diversify and grow, the path forward is clear and flexible.’

The global flexible packaging sector is growing at a faster rate than the label sector. It’s currently valued at about 250-300 billion USD globally, and growing at a rate of 4.7 percent, according to figures from Grand View Research.

It’s a segment that’s dominated by large, established converting companies, whose scale makes them less agile to respond to shorter production runs, SKU proliferation and the rise of challenger brands; all areas in which label converters excel.

Flexible formats like pouches and single-serve sachets are steadily replacing rigid containers on store shelves, driven primarily by their sustainability and customer convenience advantages. While flexible packaging is not inherently recyclable, there are products on the market for recyclable or compostable pouches. Further, flexible packaging requires significantly less environmental resources to ship and produce, compared to the rigid containers they are replacing.

Today’s consumers also prioritize convenience. Flexible formats like resealable pouches and single-serve sachets are in high demand across food, beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical sectors. These formats align perfectly with the capabilities of narrow-web presses, which excel at short-run, high-mix production.

“Sustainability regulation, SKU proliferation and rising energy costs have brought these capabilities to the forefront for a much wider audience, especially label converters looking to diversify”

Folding carton, meanwhile, has been a relatively newer development, with the first signs of folding carton production appearing at Labelexpo Europe 2023. By 2025, Edale was the first and only manufacturer to show in-line flexo converting for folding carton at the show.

In-line carton production isn’t new, it’s just newly relevant, says Will Parker, a packaging executive and Labelexpo folding carton ambassador.

‘In-line carton production isn’t a new concept,’ Parker says. ‘For over 15 years, food-to-go packaging has quietly evolved using in-line flexo platforms to produce folded, glued and barrier-coated or lined fiberboard trays and wraps.’

He continues: ‘Likewise, the beauty and personal care sectors have long relied on short-run, embellished carton production using hybrid workflows to create rigid boxes, sleeves and gift packaging often produced in line with hot foil, embossing and die-cutting in a single pass.’

What’s new, Parker says, is the urgency of the conversation.

‘Sustainability regulation, SKU proliferation and rising energy costs have brought these capabilities to the forefront for a much wider audience, especially label converters looking to diversify.’

History

Labelexpo was launched in 1980 with the inaugural Labelex 80 in London, featuring 44 label industry suppliers. Since then, the portfolio has expanded across the globe, supported by editorial from Labels & Labeling magazine. The magazine will not be rebranding (see boxout).

In 2023, Labelexpo Global Series joined Informa, the world’s largest B2B event organizer, with more than 800 brands and 14,000 employees across 30 countries.

The ability to connect with multiple industries across complementary Informa events in the healthcare and pharma, food and nutrition, beauty and aesthetics sectors, provides sponsors, exhibitors and visitors access to wider knowledge and business opportunities, organizers say.

Loupe’s Grace continues: ‘We are going to carry on the same way as Labelexpo has done for over 40 years. Labelexpo is so successful because of the people in the industry. I feel we are kind of the guardians of this platform, and we’re always trying to adapt to what the industry wants and needs, and Loupe will be no different. We are embracing a wider remit that is already part of our industry. We’re just recognizing that formally.’

The first event under the Loupe moniker will be Loupe Americas 2026, when the event returns to the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, from Sept 15-17, 2026. Labelexpo Asia, which takes place in Shanghai from Dec 2-5 this year, will be the last under the Labelexpo name.

What’s in a name?

The name Loupe represents a common magnifying tool found in printshops. A loupe is used to inspect print quality and detail up close.

For event organizers, LOUPE as an acronym stands for ‘Labels & OUter Packaging Embellishment’ and represents attention to detail, clarity, precision and craftsmanship.

‘We’ve really thought long and hard about the name, and

I think Loupe really honors the heritage of our industry,’ Grace says. ‘To us, a loupe symbolizes attention to detail, clarity and insight, all of that really characterize our industry so well.’

Labels & Labeling retains name and branding

Labels & Labeling, which is owned by the same parent company, Informa PLC, will not be rebranding alongside the events.

‘Labels & Labeling has been the trusted voice of the global label industry for more than 45 years, and our strength comes from a clear focus on the narrow- and mid-web converter and supporting ecosystem.

‘While we applaud Loupe and understand the decision to rebrand, we will continue to cover the adjacent packaging sectors in the context of how it impacts the world of labels,’ says Chelsea McDougall, editor of Labels & Labeling magazine. ‘Preserving the magazine’s name ensures that the Labels & Labeling continues that legacy, while supporting the broader vision of the global Loupe events.’

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Labels target food waste reduction

Piotr Wnuk — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:21:56 +0000

Avery Dennison has published research highlighting how intelligent labels can address food waste across the global supply chain, which is forecast to reach 540 billion USD by 2026.

The Making the Invisible Visible report, which surveyed 3,500 global food retailers and supply chain leaders, found that 61 percent of businesses lack full visibility into where food waste occurs across their operations. The company positions intelligent labels as a key technology to address these blind spots and transform food waste from an operating cost into measurable value.

Transit emerged as a critical area where labels can provide visibility, with 56 percent of companies reporting they do not have a clear understanding of how much food waste happens during transportation. The research identified meat as the most challenging category, projected to cost 94 billion USD in lost output in 2026, followed by fresh produce at 88 billion USD.

'The biggest challenge is what we can't see. From transit to shelf, blind spots are silently eroding margins,' noted Julie Vargas, vice president and general manager of enterprise intelligent labels growth at Avery Dennison. 'With the right innovation, we can turn this loss into measurable value and shift the conversation on food waste, from being purely seen as a sustainability issue, into a business critical one.'

The report found that inventory management and overstocking contribute significantly to food waste for 51 percent of business leaders. Avery Dennison suggests that intelligent labels can enable item-level inventory visibility, demand forecasting and real-time shelf-life management to address these challenges.

Economic volatility and shifting consumer demands are exacerbating food waste issues, with 74 percent of retailers stating inflation is making it harder to predict demand for fresh meat and 73 percent reporting rising consumer demand for smaller meat portions or alternatives.

'Over seven in ten business leaders told us that they see tackling food waste as a growth opportunity,' added Michael Colarossi, vice president and head of enterprise sustainability at Avery Dennison. 'That's why the 540 billion USD in lost value should be a clear call to action for the food retail supply chain to cut waste and boost efficiencies.'

If current trends continue, the cumulative cost of food waste from 2025 to 2030 is expected to reach 3.4 trillion USD.

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Digital watermarks prove their worth in real-world trials

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:47:00 +0000

Sustainability 22 December 2025

Digital watermarks prove their worth in real-world trials

HolyGrail 2.0’s latest industrial trials demonstrate the technology’s readiness for commercial deployment across European recycling facilities.

The quest for accurate plastic sorting has reached a pivotal moment. After years of development and testing, digital watermark technology has finally proven it can deliver the precision needed to transform how Europe handles post-consumer packaging waste. The HolyGrail 2.0 initiative’s latest industrial trials, conducted at Germany’s Hündgen Entsorgung facility, have demonstrated detection rates consistently exceeding 90 percent, a significant leap forward in sorting technology.

Over 100 days of rigorous testing from August to December 2024, the facility processed real household waste from Germany and Denmark, clocking an average of nearly 56,000 detections per day. The numbers are impressive: 5.66 million detections across 5,949 unique SKUs, with detection efficiency ranging from 87.9 to 93.8 percent. This represents the largest-scale testing of digital watermark technology to date, proving its potential for widespread commercial adoption.

Beyond traditional sorting limitations

Current near-infrared and visible light spectroscopy (NIR/VIS) systems, while effective at separating basic materials like PET, polypropylene and polyethylene, face inherent limitations that digital watermarks can overcome.

‘NIR/VIS spectroscopy separates materials and colors; however, certain packaging features limit its detection capabilities. For instance, the presence of sleeves does not allow you to see the color underneath, multilayer packaging hinders the detection below the top layer, and additives and polymer physical properties are not visible by NIR/VIS,’ explains Margherita Trombetti, project manager and sustainability policy officer at AIM, the European Brands Association.

Traditional sorting technologies also cannot identify crucial information, such as product application, whether for food, cosmetic or detergent use; recycled content levels; or whether materials are bio-based or fossil-based.

Margherita Trombetti, project manager and sustainability policy officer at AIM – the European Brands Association and Martyn Tickner, technical advisor at the Alliance to End Plastic Waste

‘There are certain types of information that it is impossible to obtain via the technology alone. This is why new technologies are needed,’ adds Trombetti.

Digital watermarks address these gaps by encoding detailed information directly into packaging during the printing process.

‘Digital watermarks’ ability to identify packaging features at the SKU level unlocks a new set of data about the packaging, granting access to any packaging attributes such as additives, viscosity and hidden layers,’ notes Trombetti.

These granular sorting capabilities extend far beyond current systems. ‘When packaging is marked with digital watermarks, it can be sorted based on usage such as food, cosmetics, detergents and others, as well as traced for brand owners’ collection statistics by product and for EPR purposes,’ she explains.

Complementary technologies

Rather than replacing existing infrastructure entirely, the most effective approach combines digital watermarks with established NIR technology. This hybrid approach maximizes sorting efficiency while accommodating both marked and unmarked packaging, a practical necessity.

‘Digital watermarking allows for the splitting of any fraction to a higher level of granularity than is currently possible with near infrared technology,’ states Trombetti.

Integration proves essential for practical implementation. ‘Not all objects will be digitally watermarked, and so a combination of DW and NIR/VIS provides the best of both worlds, enabling mixed sorting of both marked and unmarked SKUs, including responding to dirty, partially marked or damaged packaging,’ explains Trombetti.

“Digital watermarking is a proven method at commercial scale, and the early-adopter markets will benefit from this”

The Hündgen facility trials exemplified this integrated approach through sophisticated equipment configuration. ‘On Hündgen’s main line, a new 2.8m-wide Pellenc ST module enabled with Digimarc watermark detection was installed to process an input stream consisting of post-consumer plastic from the German and Danish collection systems,’ details Trombetti.

‘The detection efficiency ranged from 87.9 percent to 93.8 percent, with strong evidence of consistent detection over 90 percent over long durations,’ Trombetti notes. These results proved particularly impressive given the complexity involved: ‘Nearly 6,000 SKUs from collection in two countries, challenging post-consumer waste, including the presence of films and flexibles in the rigids stream, and the uneven distribution and crumpling of material.’

Implementation challenges

Integrating new technology into existing facilities requires careful consideration of both technical and economic factors. Martyn Tickner, technical advisor at the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, emphasizes the distinction between detection and sorting components. ‘It is important firstly to recognize that the transition to circular systems requires major investments into sorting capability, the key enabler to high-quality recycling,’ he explains.

Investment strategy becomes crucial for successful implementation. ‘We should differentiate between the detection/decision making and the sorting step itself, most typically by air-jet separation of a stream, with the most significant part of the capital cost being the latter,’ he notes.

The detection systems themselves increasingly utilize multiple sensor inputs, combining NIR, visible light, digital watermarks and object recognition technologies.

‘Detection/decision making increasingly utilizes multi-sensory input, with the choice determined by the cost and value that each technology brings to the problem being addressed,’ notes Tickner.

Real-world sorting presents challenges beyond technology implementation. Contamination remains a persistent headache, with waste conditions presenting multiple obstacles.

‘In general, sorting is made more difficult by elements that consumers put in the garbage bag despite not being plastic, metal, or paper, hence contaminating the input. It is estimated that around 40 to 50 percent of such elements can be found in the yellow bag,’ explains Trombetti.

The trials also encountered operational challenges that provided valuable learning opportunities. ‘Waste conditions also presented some challenges: harsh soiling, crumpling, crushing and aging. During the trials, there were some hardware and cooling challenges associated with the detection, but these did not negatively affect the detection and ejection results,’ she adds. Such real-world hiccups are exactly what the industry needs to understand before widespread rollout.

Economic viability

The transition from research trials to commercial deployment hinges on demonstrating clear economic value for all stakeholders. The newly formed Circular Packaging 2030 consortium, emerging from HolyGrail 2.0, focuses specifically on proving the business case for intelligent sorting across European markets.

“Meeting the 2030 EU-wide PPWR targets requires investment not only in sorting, but in recycling capabilities”

‘Circular Packaging 2030 is a collaborative consortium of companies and organizations representing the entire packaging value chain. Its mission is to prove the economic viability of a circular economy for selected plastics packaging use cases,’ explains Trombetti.

The consortium’s comprehensive approach addresses multiple stakeholders’ needs simultaneously.

‘The primary aim is to demonstrate end-to-end business value creation by implementing intelligent sorting for all PP plastic materials, and identification of the right recycling path to create food-grade [recycled polypropylene] material. This may later extend to other material types,’ she continues.

The consortium’s methodology encompasses rigorous evaluation criteria, including sorting performance metrics, business case evaluation and return on investment assessment.

This comprehensive evaluation approach recognizes that advanced sorting represents just one component of the circular economy equation.

‘Meeting the 2030 EU-wide PPWR targets requires investment not only in sorting, but in recycling capabilities. However, advanced sorting is a key enabler for recycling and hence PPWR compliance,’ emphasizes Trombetti.

The infrastructure investment strategy focuses on scalable approaches rather than retrofitting facilities individually. ‘The industry should focus on implementing advanced sorting, including managing this on a large scale as a second sorting step rather than retrofitting capabilities into each individual municipal sorting facility,’ she advises.

Strategic market demonstrations

The transition to commercial deployment begins with carefully selected market demonstrations in Belgium and Germany. These locations offer distinct advantages for validating the technology’s commercial viability under different conditions.

‘Both markets were selected for strategic reasons. Belgium offers environment to demonstrate the business case for a circular economy in flexible polypropylene packaging,’ states Trombetti.

The country’s institutional advantages make it particularly suitable for testing. ‘This is largely due to Fost Plus, a well-positioned and highly proactive Producer Responsibility Organization, whose ambition makes them a key partner,’ she notes. ‘Leading brand owners who were instrumental in previous semi-industrial and industrial trials are also actively involved in this market demonstration, driven by their commitment to meeting the EU-wide 2030 targets for recyclability and recycled content.’

“Plastic recycling rates will increase progressively and differently region by region”

Belgium’s existing infrastructure provides an excellent foundation for advanced sorting implementation. ‘Belgium sees high annual volumes of flexible packaging and its advanced sorting centers already deliver very pure flows. By introducing watermark recognition technology, we are completing the final step toward achieving truly circular flexible packaging,’ Trombetti explains. Its positioning as a perfect testing ground makes sense.

Germany offers complementary advantages for rigid packaging applications. Germany is also being explored, given high amounts of rigid PP in their market. Moreover, this market demonstration can benefit from the sorting equipment that is already installed in the partner MRF Hündgen Entsorgung,’ she adds. Leveraging existing infrastructure makes economic sense.

The demonstrations will follow a structured two-year timeline focusing on specific outcomes. ‘This will be a two-year market demonstration, focused on sorting post-consumer, digitally watermarked PP packaging from selected markets. The resulting fractions will be recycled using various technologies to assess performance and output quality,’ details Trombetti.

Regulatory compliance

The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation creates urgent timelines for industry transformation, requiring sophisticated tracking and reporting capabilities.

‘Digital watermarks embody the perfect example of how the EU-wide goal of the green and digital transitions can happen together: DW carry a wide range of attributes such as manufacturer, SKU, type of plastics used, composition for multi-layer objects, food vs non-food application,’ notes Trombetti.

The technology’s data collection capabilities support comprehensive regulatory reporting requirements. ‘Digital watermarks have the potential to meet other PPWR requirements. Notably, to enable the creation of a Digital Packaging Passport that can help companies meet EU reporting requirements, such as communicating about the material composition of the packaging to facilitate sorting, or about the presence of substances of concern, or even to get highly reliable and accurate data for EPR reporting obligations,’ she explains.

Timing becomes critical for meeting regulatory deadlines.

‘Given the urgency for improvement, it is important to move forward with technologies that are already in place today that will support the viability of downstream investments, rather than waiting for maturation of even newer technologies,’ explains Trombetti. This approach provides ‘the most assured route towards PPWR compliance.’

The regulatory framework also requires significant infrastructure development beyond sorting capabilities.

‘Next to progress on sorting infrastructure, an upgrade in recycling capabilities is needed. It will take many years to install adequate infrastructure for chemical recycling. However, we already have significant mechanical recycling infrastructure in place, which can be more rapidly developed to provide the quality required to meet the PPWR targets as long as feedstocks are accurately and efficiently sorted,’ she notes.

Global adoption

While European markets drive current development, the technology’s global potential depends on varying regional conditions and requirements. Tickner outlines how adoption patterns will differ based on local waste management maturity and economic conditions.

‘Plastic recycling rates will increase progressively and differently region by region, driven by waste management policies, targets, brand-owner ambitions and financing mechanisms, which in turn create end-markets that support the investment in collection, sorting and recycling,’ he explains.

Regional infrastructure variations create different opportunities for implementation. ‘In OECD countries with more mature waste management systems, sorting will largely be fully automated and capable of advanced detection such as NIR, DW, object recognition [OR]. In lower-cost countries and those with less mature waste management systems, manual sorting will dominate,’ notes Tickner.

However, advanced detection technology can provide value across diverse operational contexts. ‘Even here, advanced detection can be deployed, using laser lights to guide manual sorters. And in all cases, quality control of incoming materials will be relevant,’ explains Tickner.

The strategic decision for brand owners involves weighing implementation approaches and timing considerations. ‘Perhaps the trade-off for brand owners between taking the initiative and costs for digital watermarking versus relying on others to implement object recognition may favor a strategic decision to adopt digital watermarks,’ suggests Tickner.

Competitive landscape

The sorting technology landscape continues evolving rapidly, with artificial intelligence-enabled object recognition advancing alongside digital watermarks. However, a pragmatic perspective on technology selection and implementation timing should be maintained.

‘For sorting and data collection, the capabilities of AI-enabled object recognition (OR) are advancing fast, and while the limits of performance and operational cost in highly complex systems are not yet determined. OR represents an approach with a lower entry barrier for brands, at least for today’s needs in rigid packaging,’ explains Tickner.

Tickner highlights the importance of action over prolonged evaluation. ‘We believe that the actual choice of detection approach is of secondary importance and is consuming too much energy. Digital watermarking is a proven method at commercial scale, and the early-adopter markets will benefit from this,’ he states.

Risk management considerations favor implementation over waiting. ‘The regret cost of inaction is far higher than the regret of implementing a detection technology and then finding in five to 10 years that performance boundaries and market requirements have evolved in favor of a different approach, and some retrofit costs are required,’ observes Tickner.

The competitive landscape will likely support multiple detection technologies, each optimized for specific applications.

Next steps

The Circular Packaging 2030 consortium has established comprehensive milestones for commercial deployment over the next two years, encompassing technical performance, economic viability and regulatory approval processes.

Key objectives include achieving ‘sorting performance metrics comparable to those in HolyGrail 2.0 Phase 3 and aligned with regulatory standards’, along with demonstrating ‘added value for both feedstock and recyclates, focusing on the production of high-quality materials suitable for target packaging applications,’ explains Trombetti.

Economic validation remains central to the consortium’s mission. The program will ‘assess the ROI for all stakeholders to validate the commercial viability of a circular economy model’ while working to ‘produce high-value recyclates that justify investment in intelligent sorting technology,’ she details.

The demonstration’s expected outcomes extend beyond immediate commercial deployment. ‘By the end of the market demonstration, the Consortium expects to achieve a pathway for food-grade PP recyclates initially for non-food contact applications and outline a clear roadmap toward EFSA approval,’ she explains.

Success in these demonstrations will provide the foundation for broader rollout across European markets. The readiness for widespread implementation represents the culmination of years of hard work and testing. With high detection efficiency and the ability to sort at unprecedented granularity, digital watermarks offer a proven path toward the accurate sorting essential for circular packaging systems. The transition from HolyGrail 2.0 research to HolyGrail 2030 marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of packaging recycling, one that the industry has been waiting for.

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Reynders pioneers recyclable metallic labels

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:34:03 +0000

Finishing & embellishment 19 December 2025

Reynders pioneers recyclable metallic labels

Family-owned Reynders adopts Actega technology to meet sustainability demands.

Label converters face an increasingly complex challenge: delivering the premium aesthetics brands demand while meeting environmental requirements. Belgian family business Reynders has addressed this through its partnership with Actega, adopting EcoLeaf on-demand metallization to create S-Sential, a new approach to metallic label decoration that eliminates traditional foil waste.

Three generations of growth

Founded in 1956 in Mortsel, Belgium, Reynders operates eight production facilities across Europe and Asia. The company employs 650 people and generates an annual turnover of 173M EUR, serving the cosmetics, food and beverage, automotive and pharmaceuticals markets.

The converter produces self-adhesive labels, booklets, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and in-mold labels. Third-generation family leadership now runs the business, with CCO Marco Van Hooff describing it as focused on agility and technical expertise.

‘We believe in being small enough to move with speed, yet large enough to operate in the Champions League of label printing,’ Van Hooff explains. ‘Our strength lies in how we unite technical know-how with a tailored touch.’

The company identified on-demand metallization as key for meeting both environmental requirements and customer expectations for premium finishes.

Technology

Reynders discovered EcoLeaf at Labelexpo Europe 2023. The technology applies metallic effects directly onto labels without PET carrier film or traditional foil backing. According to Actega, 1kg of EcoLeaf flakes replaces 3,000kg of conventional foil, resulting in a reduction of carbon emissions by more than 80 percent.

The process allows converters to apply metallic decoration precisely where needed, offering design flexibility and late-stage product differentiation.

‘Sustainability and on-demand metallization go hand in hand with EcoLeaf,’ Van Hooff notes. ‘It allows us to deliver shiny, standout labels while cutting waste and carbon impact.’

Reynders launched S-Sential as its platform for implementing the technology. The system targets premium sectors where visual appeal drives purchasing decisions, particularly cosmetics, body care and specialty food and beverage products.

Haptic and visual appeal

Beyond environmental benefits, S-Sential delivers tactile qualities that enhance shelf presence. The metallic finish creates a haptic effect designed to encourage consumer interaction, while the reflective properties provide visual differentiation on crowded shelves.

Reynders has conducted lifecycle analysis in accordance with ISO standards, providing data that brand owners can use to measure and communicate their environmental impact.

‘It’s also the quick turnarounds and the creative possibilities to use shiny on-demand metallization to differentiate the products,’ Van Hooff adds.

Strategic partnership

Van Hooff describes the relationship with Actega as a long-term strategic partnership. ‘Actega has consistently proven to be a dependable partner, offering cutting-edge approaches in coatings, inks, adhesives, compounds and sealants,’ he remarks. ‘Together, we are perfectly aligned in our shared vision to stay ahead of the market, driving innovation and setting new standards for sustainable, impactful outcomes.’

“Sustainability and on-demand metallization go hand in hand with EcoLeaf. It allows us to deliver shiny, standout labels while significantly cutting waste and carbon impact”

Harald Jasper, managing director of Actega Metal Print, views the collaboration as demonstrating that environmental responsibility and premium aesthetics need not conflict.

‘Reynders’ unwavering commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility is redefining what’s possible in label embellishment,’ Jasper states. ‘With S-Sential and EcoLeaf’s on-demand metallization, we’re pioneering a new era, demonstrating that sustainable practices can seamlessly deliver a luxury, premium look.’

The partnership addresses multiple pressures converters face: regulatory compliance, brand owner sustainability targets, consumer preferences for premium packaging and production efficiency.

Van Hooff frames the adoption of new technology as essential for converters seeking a competitive advantage.

‘The future of packaging demands action, not hesitation,’ he argues. ‘True leadership isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment but embracing innovation and driving transformation.’

As regulatory timelines approach and sustainability criteria become standard in brand specifications, Reynders positions S-Sential as proof that label converters can deliver both environmental performance and premium aesthetics.

The company’s investment in on-demand metallization represents a bet that the technology will become standard in premium label segments where traditional foil is currently the dominant format.

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Fedrigoni launches customer portal

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:20:21 +0000

Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives has launched a customer portal designed to provide access to its self-adhesive materials catalog, technical data sheets and support resources.

The platform features a search function that allows customers to browse products and download technical documentation online. Users can create personalized access accounts through the portal.

'Our goal has always been to make it as easy as possible for customers to find and use the right Fedrigoni materials for their applications,' commented Melissa Harton, marketing manager for North America. 'This portal brings our catalog and support resources together in one place, providing instant access to information and tools.'

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Software suppliers tackle industry’s perfect storm

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:14:41 +0000

Workflow, MIS & inspection 15 December 2025

Software suppliers tackle industry’s perfect storm

Workflow integration separates market leaders from struggling converters, with automation shifting from optional to essential.

One of the Hybrid Software’s customers has recently increased output by 3,000 SKUs per month without hiring a single additional employee. The secret was not a faster press or more floor space, but an integrated workflow system that eliminated manual touchpoints across the entire production process. This productivity gain exemplifies a shift happening across the label and packaging industry, where software automation has become the difference between thriving and merely surviving.

The response from the supply chain has been unmistakable: workflow automation is no longer optional; it is the foundation of competitive operations.

The perfect storm is hitting converters

Printers are navigating what Craig Tait, chief product officer at ePS, calls ‘a perfect storm’ of market pressures. ‘An unprecedented shift toward shorter runs and increased SKU proliferation is putting new strain on already thin margins,’ he explains. ‘The most critical pain point is the reliance on fragmented, disconnected systems that create silos and block a real-time view of the business.’

The shift from analog to digital print technology has changed the type of orders converters handle. ‘The volume of orders is higher, but with shorter run lengths and tighter lead times,’ notes Peter Dhondt, director of global and strategic accounts at Cerm. ‘If the workflow within the organization is not optimized to manage this effectively, then pressure builds in the CSR and production teams, and this is when costly mistakes can happen.’

Mike Agness, Hybrid Software executive vice president for the Americas, points to persistent fundamental issues that plague even sophisticated operations. ‘Files received are still not print-ready, which means a pre-press technician needs to do work on them to print properly. This goes for both flexo and digital print production.’

“Up to 55 percent of the lead time of a sales order or job can be taken up by admin and preparation, leaving less than half for production”

For many converters, manual processes create a cascade of problems. ‘Too many converters still run complex workflows on spreadsheets and manually enter data, creating errors and costly surprises that are often discovered too late on press,’ observes Tait. His company’s data shows that ‘by replacing these manual touchpoints with a connected workflow, process complexity can drop by 30 to 50 percent. The result: fewer mistakes, faster turnaround and complete visibility from quote to production.’

Sistrade identifies additional operational pressures, including ‘escalating energy and material costs, excessive waste from idle machines and the demand for shorter print runs with tighter delivery windows.’ These challenges are ‘compounded by rising compliance needs for variable data and personalization, leading to inefficiencies in production planning and inventory management,’ notes Isabel Ferreira, head of marketing and communication at Portugal-based Sistrade.

The convergence of these pressures is forcing converters to rethink their operational models, with workflow integration emerging as the primary lever for maintaining competitiveness.

Labor crisis

The workforce shortage has emerged as perhaps the most urgent challenge facing the industry, with demographic data painting a stark picture. ‘If you look at the age pyramid across Europe, there is a peak in the 50-60 year-old group, falling significantly through 40 to 50 and 30 to 40 and beyond,’ reports Cerm’s Dhondt. ‘The people are just not there, so technology must bridge this gap.’

The impact extends beyond simple headcount. ‘The labor shortage has exposed a critical vulnerability in the industry: an overreliance on tribal knowledge that walks out the door when an experienced employee leaves,’ explains Tait. ‘The impact of this is realized daily in slower estimating, brittle production schedules and a general lack of operational resilience.’

“The labor shortage has exposed a critical vulnerability in the industry: an overreliance on tribal knowledge that walks out the door when an experienced employee leaves”

For pre-press departments, the shortage creates particularly acute problems. ‘The labor shortage and finding qualified pre-press technicians impacts our clients considerably,’ notes Agness. ‘Many times, converters have a single pre-press person on staff. If that person moves on or is on vacation, our clients need some backup to keep their files moving.’

Sistrade quantifies the impact: ‘Labor shortages have led to revenue loss, increased error rates in picking and handling and prolonged lead times, exacerbating supply chain disruptions.’

‘Our philosophy is to build expertise directly into the system, so every job moves faster with fewer manual steps,’ states Tait. ‘By automating RFQs, estimating, job creation and production planning, teams spend less time on admin and more time producing.’

This approach fundamentally changes the skill requirements for new employees. ‘Complex, accurate quotes can be created without years of experience, because built-in logic guides the process,’ Tait adds. ‘The goal isn’t to replace people, it’s to make them more effective, free their time for strategic work and amplify decision‑making across the plant.’

Cerm’s MIS takes a comprehensive approach to automation. ‘Online web to print, pre-press software and production machines can be seamlessly connected with two-way communication,’ Dhondt explains. ‘This massively increases productivity driven by technology, enabling label and packaging converters to do the same level of business with fewer people or similarly support growth without the need to increase headcount.’

Maximum impact

Workflow providers identify several key areas where automation delivers immediate return on investment. Tait of ePS outlines five critical automation zones: ‘The front-end intake process is the largest win: RFQs flow directly into estimating without manual intervention, cutting delays, errors and hidden costs.’

The benefits extend through the entire workflow. ‘Automating pre-press handoff through structured specs, automated die and cylinder lookup and digital approvals, removes long-standing bottlenecks,’ continues Tait. ‘Planning becomes faster and smarter, with constraint-aware batching, ganging and automatic sequencing by ink and substrate. The result: production plans created up to 20 times faster, maximizing efficiency and reducing costly delays.’

With the newly developed connector between Durst Analytics and Cerm MIS, production data from Durst Tau label presses can now be transferred directly into the Cerm MIS Software

Cerm emphasizes the power of product-based workflows as the foundation for automation. ‘Cerm is a product-based workflow, unique SKUs containing technical specifications and production routes to go either digital or analog depending on quantity,’ Dhondt explains. ‘This data drives an automated workflow from sales order, ganged production run opportunities, communication with pre-press software for step and repeat file prep, pushing data out to machines for automated set up and receiving real-time production data back for tracking and performance analysis.’

The company reports measurable results across its customer base: ‘We see this achieved throughout our customer base, reporting KPIs of reduced lead times, improved OTIF, increased revenue per employee and ultimately profitability increases.’

For pre-press specifically, Agness identifies two critical opportunities for automation. ‘Online proof approvals and step and repeat layouts should be integrated and automated,’ he states. ‘Online approvals offer, through status updates, visibility throughout the organization about in-process or completed pre-press tasks, immediately when a client approves the proof.’

Sistrade’s Ferreira points to ‘estimates automation, pre-press automation, dynamic job batching and integrated scheduling with presses, allowing for seamless handling of short runs and variable data. Robotic systems for finishing and packaging also offer quick wins by minimizing downtime.’

Ultimate Tech sees particular opportunity in SMB market segments. ‘The biggest opportunity is in small to medium companies, because today there are no pre-press tools available for them in a reasonable quality/price ratio that enables them to have a high level of automation,’ notes Watson. This represents a significant untapped market where workflow automation could deliver transformative results for operations that have been priced out of enterprise-level systems.

Theurer.com identifies product configuration as the foundation for automation success. ‘We see the greatest potential for automation at the very beginning of the workflow, during product configuration,’ Tobias Theurer, managing director of the company, explains. ‘With our flexible calculation and configuration module, articles are created as the foundation for both sales and production processes. Through simple customization, we can map any customer-specific requirements, from special quality standards to unique logistics labels or complex production steps.’

The system enables end-to-end automation. ‘Once configured, jobs can automatically move through the entire workflow, from estimating with standardized Business Templates, through automated job creation and scheduling, to production feedback via Direct Machine Interface and performance analysis in Actual Costing and Business Intelligence dashboards,’ Theurer adds.

Manual processes on the chopping block

When asked which manual processes converters most want to eliminate, workflow providers point to repetitive, error-prone tasks that consume time without adding value. ‘Customers are focused on eliminating non-value-added work,’ states Tait. ‘Every minute spent re-entering specs from an email, chasing artwork approvals or hand-building a job bag is a minute lost from producing sellable product. The absolute priority is to eliminate low-value, high-risk tasks that consume time and introduce errors.’

The hit list is extensive and consistent across suppliers. ‘Top of the list: manual re-entry of specifications into estimating and ERP, wiped out through automated intake,’ continues Tait. ‘Other top pain points include the constant chase for artwork approvals, the manual creation of job bags and spreadsheet-based scheduling.’

‘We see bottlenecks in order intake where orders are coming in from multiple sources, email, online portals, the printer’s customers’ ERP systems, Excel spreadsheets,’ Dhondt reports. ‘At Cerm, we have tools, including AI, to automate this process and remove manual and repetitive tasks.’

Continues Dhondt: ‘We see bottlenecks in pre-press from receiving customer artwork, one-up proof approval and prepping the file ready for production. Manual processes can be significantly removed here through integration, replaced by automated workflows that communicate and synchronize status changes, preflight reports, proof approvals and step and repeat.’

Hybrid Software’s Agness highlights specific automation wins that demonstrate the value proposition. ‘Generating a proof file and sending it automatically to the customer is very helpful and eliminates repetitive work,’ he states. ‘Letting the system prepare optimum step and repeat layouts for output saves a lot of operator time and also assures that the print provider is printing labels as efficiently as possible.’

Cerm’s Scheduling Optimizer brings rule-based automation to scheduling, helping printers save time and reduce complexity

Sistrade’s clients consistently target ‘manual proofing, imposition planning and barcode labeling, which introduce errors and slow approvals.’ The company reports quantifiable improvements: ‘Through our workflow automation consulting, we’ve helped clients automate these steps, cutting turnaround times by 30 to 40 percent and eliminating error-prone data entry.’

Ultimate Tech emphasizes the importance of human capital. ‘Tasks that are repetitive, tasks with little value for human interaction. This is specifically the case for imposition, ganging and nesting,’ Watson explains. ‘As we help more and more customers automate, they quickly realize that the software can handle all their work with no human intervention for them to focus on high-value tasks like creativity, customer care and designing new offerings.’

AI transformation

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how converters approach production scheduling, though perspectives vary significantly on the current state and future potential. The divergence of opinion among workflow providers reveals both the promise and the challenges of AI implementation in specialized manufacturing environments.

‘AI is transforming production scheduling, moving from reactive, rules-based systems to predictive, intelligence-driven decision-making,’ reports Tait. ‘AI models now suggest optimal batching strategies to reduce makeready times, flag potential delays before they occur and run multiple what-if scenarios to identify the best production outcomes.’

Cerm sees AI as essential for managing the complexity that overwhelms human planners. ‘In dynamic production environments, it is unrealistic to expect planners alone to effectively deal with changes to delivery dates, new priority orders coming in, which jobs should be run together, impacts of machine breakdowns, changes in staff availability,’ Dhondt notes. ‘It is the new technologies, including AI, that will help to solve the challenges and support better decision-making.’

However, Agness offers a more cautious perspective that highlights the challenges of applying general AI to specialized industries. ‘While AI will have a future, it needs to learn our industry and particulars about our industry,’ he states. ‘AI won’t have a considerable impact on our business immediately because our industry is too specialized to collect accurate information for business or process decisions. Chances are the advances in AI will be what converters teach it about their particular workflows on a micro level and not a global, macro level open-to-public AI engine.’

This view suggests that the most effective AI implementations will be those customized to individual operations rather than off-the-shelf applications.

Ultimate Tech acknowledges both the opportunities and the learning curve ahead. ‘Artificial intelligence is not new to automation, but it has certainly taken a new leap with generative AI and agentic AI,’ Watson observes. ‘AI is great at assessing quickly a vast amount of data and can help production professionals make decisions more quickly. But like any tool, there is always a better way to use it, and it is important for customers to learn about the limitations and opportunities of AI before scaling it to the entire organization.’

Theurer.com describes a shift from reactive to proactive scheduling. ‘Artificial intelligence is transforming production planning from manual rescheduling to continuous optimization,’ states Theurer. ‘In C3 AI, the system continuously calculates the optimal production plan based on the current production situation and automatically adapts it when conditions change, for example, due to rush jobs, machine downtimes or delayed materials.’

Ultimate Tech’s Impostrip can manage dynamic label runs, including the generation of print PDFs and cut and embellishment files for finishing, to automate setup time throughout production

The company emphasizes multi-objective optimization. ‘The C3 AI engine determines a global optimum across multiple weighted objectives, such as the minimization of missed delivery dates, the minimization of set-up times, the maximization of overall equipment effectiveness and the reduction of lead times,’ Theurer explains. ‘Planners define the strategic weighting of these objectives, while the AI continuously balances them and proposes the optimal schedule.’

The consensus appears to be that AI will play an increasingly important role, but implementation requires careful consideration of industry-specific requirements and realistic expectations about current capabilities.

Sustainability reporting

Regulatory requirements are transforming sustainability from a marketing initiative into a core business function with significant implications for data management. ‘Sustainability is no longer a marketing initiative, it’s a core business requirement with significant data demands,’ states Tait. ‘Brand owners expect auditable, part-level traceability, requiring converters to capture a complete raw-to-finished genealogy for every job, including supplier certifications, energy use and waste attribution.’

Sistrade points to specific regulatory drivers with challenging deadlines. ‘Sustainability mandates are demanding granular data on material traceability, recyclability and carbon footprints, with stricter EU and global regulations requiring verifiable reporting by 2025,’ Ferreira reports. ‘This shifts focus to eco-friendly inks and substrates, increasing the need for integrated tracking systems.’

“Sustainability is no longer a marketing initiative; it’s a core business requirement with significant data demands”

Cerm observes increasing pressure from multiple regulatory sources. ‘As more and more legislation is introduced, PPT, EPR, EUDR, and responsibilities on the converter increase, we are seeing the need for more data and reporting for sure,’ Dhondt notes. ‘With scrutiny via audits and specific reporting, then the flexibility of the MIS to support and extract data is key.’

The message is clear: sustainability data management is becoming a table-stakes requirement for converters working with major brands, and workflow systems must be equipped to capture, track and report this information seamlessly.

Untapped opportunities

Looking beyond current automation efforts, workflow providers see significant potential in areas that remain largely unexploited. Tait envisions self-improving systems that learn from every job. ‘The most significant opportunity is building a self-correcting business ecosystem,’ he states. ‘Too often, valuable production data is locked in reports instead of being used to shape future performance. Real-time feedback, like actual run speeds and waste, should flow back into core systems to refine estimating standards automatically. If a job consistently runs faster than planned, the following quote becomes more competitive and more accurate.’

This creates a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement. He also sees opportunity in transparency that strengthens customer relationships. ‘The broader vision is complete operational transparency through live job status portals for brand owners. Converters maintain control while delivering the visibility customers demand, strengthening relationships and unlocking deeper operational insights.’

Cerm emphasizes end-to-end integration as the critical missing piece for many converters. ‘Many converters have invested in automation in specific parts, studio/pre-press, digital and flexo presses and finishing lines, but often the full integration between them is missing,’ Dhondt states. ‘These gaps between, or in other words, where the process flow breaks down, can cause jobs to stall, errors to creep in and margins to erode.’

Material waste represents another significant opportunity with direct bottom-line impact. ‘Waste reduction, improvements in processes can be achieved by using tools to optimize ganging/nesting and to minimize set up waste,’ Dhondt notes. ‘Given that substrate material cost can represent around 40 to 60 percent of total costs, then just a one to two percent reduction can have a significant financial impact.’

Agness identifies data silos as a key target for improvement. ‘The biggest untapped opportunity for many is when they have silos of data, but the current method for data input is done manually,’ he observes. ‘If we can look to eliminate touches and interruptions during production, efficiency will be gained and fewer errors will occur.’

Ultimate Tech zeroes in on pre-press as the area with the most unrealized potential. ‘In labels and packaging, definitely in pre-press. Many label printers tell us they prepare jobs manually,’ Watson states. ‘Labor costs are some of the highest costs a company can have, thus automation is key to enhanced productivity, quality and viability.’

Digital integration with brand owners

The relationship between converters and brand owners is evolving toward deeper digital integration, fundamentally changing the nature of these partnerships. ‘Digital integration is reshaping the way converters and brand owners collaborate,’ states Tait. ‘With open APIs and secure portals, RFQs, specs, artwork, live job status and compliance documents can be exchanged seamlessly. The payoff is clear: brand owners gain the transparency they demand, while converters maintain a single, auditable source of truth.’

The strategic advantage extends beyond operational efficiency. ‘By offering transparency and protecting sensitive data, converters can differentiate themselves in a crowded market and position themselves as strategic partners rather than just vendors,’ Tait adds.

Cerm emphasizes close collaboration with integration partners to create robust ecosystems.

‘We work very closely with our partners to ensure integration between our systems is effective and robust,’ Dhondt explains. ‘This could mean a web-to-print storefront that has been customized for the brand-owner and is fully integrated with the Cerm MIS, enabling real-time pricing and online ordering from product catalogs to be synchronized.’

Agness emphasizes the practical realities of integration. ‘Brand owners don’t want to change their systems generally speaking, so adapting what their systems can output and what the converters can accept and explaining how efficiencies can be gained can accelerate the entire production process,’ he states.

Theurer.com emphasizes standards-based integration for seamless collaboration.

‘C3 enables converters and brand owners to collaborate digitally on every level, from product data to delivery,’ Theurer notes. ‘With C3 Web-Portal 2.0, brand owners can log in to view and manage their own products, create new variants or SKUs and directly release or reorder items online. They can also track order progress in real time, view production or delivery status and access quality and sustainability information.’

Looking ahead

The consensus among workflow providers is clear: the industry stands at a transformative moment where integrated, intelligent systems separate market leaders from those struggling to survive. ‘The future of labels and packaging will be defined by agility and intelligence,’ concludes Tait. ‘Market leaders won’t be those with the newest presses, but rather those with the most innovative and connected workflows. Sustainability demands, labor pressures and rising customer expectations aren’t threats; they’re opportunities for companies that embrace integrated, intelligent systems.’

Ultimate Tech sees market disruption ahead that will reshape the competitive landscape. ‘As digital label presses become better and faster, they will create a new market opportunity for companies that are not already in labels,’ Watson predicts. ‘This enhanced competitiveness in the market will push label printers to innovate, to become more flexible and automated.’

“AI won’t have a considerable impact on our business immediately because our industry is too specialized to collect accurate information for business or process decisions”

Agness emphasizes the ongoing nature of workflow development. ‘We continue to listen to the needs of the marketplace and adapt our technology to those needs and new tools that become available,’ he states. ‘We welcome challenges from our customers and prospects, to understand their issues and put a development effort from a software manufacturer to adapt technology to resolve the difficulties they have.’

The path forward requires converters to fundamentally rethink their workflow systems, not as back-office utilities, but as strategic competitive weapons. The evidence from workflow providers suggests that the winners over the next five years will be those who invest now in integrated, intelligent systems that connect every touchpoint from initial quote to final delivery. Those who delay risk finding themselves unable to meet the speed, transparency and sustainability demands that are rapidly becoming table stakes in the label and packaging market.

The question for converters is no longer whether to automate their workflows, but how quickly they can implement the integrated systems that will define competitive advantage in an industry being reshaped by technology.

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Gill Loubser, packaging journalist, dies at 82

Chelsea McDougall — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:58:41 +0000

South Africa’s packaging and print community is mourning the loss of one of its most influential voices. Gill Loubser – journalist, editor, mentor and co-founder of Packaging & Print Media (PPM) and longtime correspondent for Labels & Labeling – passed away on 4 December at the age of 82 following a sudden heart attack.

For more than four decades, Loubser shaped the industry’s understanding of itself. She reported with rigor, translated complex technology with clarity, and brought humanity to every profile and page. Her career began with a breakthrough moment in 1978, when she became the first female appointed editor within the Review group’s industrial technical journals.

Loubser went on to co-found PPM, serve as national chairman of the Institute of Packaging South Africa (IPSA), and represent the continent for over 40 years as Africa’s sole member of the International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO). She was also Labels & Labeling’s South African correspondent for many years.

Andy Thomas-Emans, former editor of Labels & Labeling worked closely with Loubser. ‘From the time I started my journey into packaging journalism in 1989, Gill was a constant presence at international press events. She was a warm-hearted, funny, articulate woman who was always happy to share her extensive knowledge with newcomers to the journalistic pool. She remained a friend and colleague over the years. I remember Gill’s unsparing help in setting up our first Label Summit in South Africa back in 2012 and the Wine Label Summit two years later. Then as L&L’s longtime Africa correspondent, Gill became the voice and champion of the African packaging industry to our readers. She will be sorely missed by so many of us from that generation of packaging journalists.'

Global and local honors followed Loubser’s career, including the World Packaging Organisation (WPO)’s Lifetime Achievement in Packaging and the renaming of Packaging SA’s top accolade in her honor.

Colleagues say her true legacy lies in the people she mentored. IPPO president Lindy Hughson called her ‘a guiding light,’ while peers across the world remembered her warmth, generosity and sharp editorial instinct.

Loubser’s influence stretched across continents, yet her impact was most deeply felt at home, in the careers she nurtured, the communities she connected and the standard she set for packaging journalism.

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Gill Loubser, packaging journalist, dies at 82

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Loubser was a longtime South African correspondent for Labels & Labeling.

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Loubser was a longtime South African correspondent for Labels & Labeling.

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Rotocon unveils new corporate identity

Will Drysdale — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:17:50 +0000

The company has said the new identity will reflect its ongoing evolution in the label and narrow-web printing industries an dis expected to launch early in 2026.

The Rotocon board of directors said: 'Our new corporate identity marks the next chapter in Rotocon's journey of growth, innovation, and commitment to the global label and narrow-web printing industry.'

The wordmark features a contemporary typeface selected for its clarity and confidence. A clean-cut 'R' anchors the mark, while the defined 'N' provides a deliberate and precise finish. The symmetrical rhythm of the alternating 'O' letters has been refined to capture Rotocon's emphasis on technical precision.
At the centre of the logo, the signature red mark remains — streamlined and balanced to express continuity and innovation. The refined proportions and spacing were designed to mirror the accuracy central to Rotocon's engineering approach.

The board added: 'The decision to evolve the Rotocon logo was made after careful consideration.
'The updated design better reflects our international footprint and the engineering capabilities we continue to advance globally.'

Rotocon is introducing a redesigned website in early 2026 to enhance the user experience across all touchpoints. The updated visual language features modern, dynamic imagery, vibrant colours, and more intuitive layouts.
At the same time, smoother navigation, faster access to key resources, and improved functionality make it easier for customers to engage with the company's products and services.

'As the industry evolves, so must we,' the board said, adding that 'this refreshed identity aligns with our ongoing development and reinforces our commitment to supporting customers through reliable technology and strong partnerships.'

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Rotocon has unveiled a refreshed corporate identity featuring a new logo and a redesigned website.

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Rotocon appoints representative for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

Will Drysdale — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:56:07 +0000

Manroland Latina will supply the full range of Rotocon's Ecoline and Chrome series of flexographic printing presses, finishing machines and ancillary equipment to customers across the region.
Manroland Latina brings decades of experience in the regional print and packaging industry, a well-established service infrastructure, and a deep understanding of local market conditions across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Cesar Domínguez, managing director of Manroland Latina, said: 'This partnership marks a significant step for us.
'We chose to partner with Rotocon because their machines and solutions align perfectly with our customers' growing demands for higher productivity, flexibility and finishing quality.'
Hans Ramon Hofmann, head of Manroland Latina's Webfed Labels and Packaging Business Unit, said: 'During my more than 30 years in the industry, I have come across a great deal of sophisticated and expensive equipment, but I am impressed by the level of quality and features Rotocon's equipment offers despite the comparatively low investment required.
'This clearly reflects the extensive experience of the people behind the company.'
Manroland Latina will handle sales, installation, training and after-sales support for the Rotocon range, including local spare parts inventory and technical service. This arrangement enables printers and converters across the region to access European-engineered printing and finishing equipment backed by local expertise.
The Rotocon Board of Directors added: 'Manroland Latina brings decades of experience in the print and packaging industry, together with a strong service infrastructure, which will provide customers across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean with high-quality label printing and finishing equipment, backed by reliable local support.'

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Manroland Latina has been appointed as the official distribution partner of Rotocon for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

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Manroland Latina has been appointed as the official distribution partner of Rotocon for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

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S Kumar eyes East Africa expansion with Zonten

Affordable technology

Supporting local converters

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Labelexpo rebrands as Loupe

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Labels target food waste reduction

Digital watermarks prove their worth in real-world trials

Piotr Wnuk

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Reynders pioneers recyclable metallic labels

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Fedrigoni launches customer portal

Software suppliers tackle industry’s perfect storm

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Gill Loubser, packaging journalist, dies at 82

Rotocon unveils new corporate identity

Rotocon appoints representative for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean