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Epson opens India demo center

Adyasha Sinha — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:20:59 +0000

Digital printing 03 November 2025

Epson opens India demo center

Targeted at label printers, converters and manufacturing businesses, Epson has opened a demo center that offers exposure to its SurePress L-6534VW.

Epson opened the doors of its first Digital Label Press Solution Center in New Delhi, India, in June 2025. Through a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, the center welcomed label printers, converters and manufacturing businesses to experience the company’s flagship SurePress L-6534VW. The new center will enable visitors to engage in live demonstrations, substrate testing and technical consultations, leading to informed decision-making in real-world production conditions.

The center is designed for training Epson India engineers as well as customers and their operators. It also helps label converters develop and show go-to-market strategies to prospective brand-owner customers.

This initiative underscores Epson’s commitment to strengthening its presence in India’s digital label printing ecosystem.

Say hello to SurePress
Epson’s SurePress L-6534VW is a UV inkjet digital label press, capable of speeds up to 50m/min (164ft/min). The company claims that the press is designed for production volumes of up to 1 million linear meters per month.

The press is capable of printing in the basic CMYK color mode, with the option to customize it by adding either a high-opacity white or an orange color to enhance the color gamut.

‘With the addition of the high-opacity white, we can achieve up to 88 percent Pantone coverage, and with the inclusion of orange, we can get up to 92 percent Pantone coverage,’ explains Jitamitra Bagchi, presales specialist at Epson India, while demonstrating the machine.

With its digital varnish capability, the press can print on multiple labelstocks and fi lm substrates, including textured papers ranging from 18 to 320 microns with matte, glossy and spot UV varnish printing in a single pass. The press transport can reverse and execute subsequent passes for increased color saturation and a higher build-up of varnish, achieving tactile, haptic and security effects with great accuracy.

Bagchi explains: ‘This press is powered by Epson’s PrecisionCore printheads that can deliver print at 600 x 1,200 DPI resolution using the company’s variable-sized droplets starting from 3.2 picoliters. Additionally, the heads are equipped with self-cleaning technology, featuring a cleaning chemical tank integrated within the machine.’ There are dual tanks for all the inks and varnish that automatically hot-switch when needed.

Paired with high-opacity white ink, UV pinning and a drum platen system, the Epson digital label press produces vibrant, durable labels suitable for various industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, industrial products and more.

Epson’s India road map
Marking 35 years in India, with headquarters in Bengaluru, Epson India has a presence in 40 cities in the country.

Sharing more about the company’s history and its footprint in India, Okuzono Kazuomi, general manager, IIJ, sales and marketing, Epson, says: ‘India continues to be one of Epson’s most strategic markets, particularly in the heavy-duty industrial printer segment. The Digital Label Press Solution Center reflects our strong commitment to the Indian label industry. Through this facility, we aim to deepen direct customer engagement and showcase the value that Epson brings to the table.’

“India continues to be one of Epson’s most strategic markets, particularly in the heavy-duty industrial printer segment”

Prabagaran S, senior general manager, sales and marketing, Epson India, adds: ‘The launch of our Digital Label Press Solution Center in Delhi is a strategic step toward shaping the future of digital label printing in India. This initiative is not just about presenting a new technology; it is about empowering label printing businesses to rethink their operations, enhance efficiency and unlock greater creative potential.’

The SurePress L-6534VW was also showcased at Labelexpo India in 2024. Epson expressed great optimism about this machine for the next two to three years. With two presses already installed in the Delhi NCR region, the first one at Prateek Graphics, the second at Print Mart and the third one in the pipeline at Chandigarh, Epson seems committed and hopes to install about three or four presses a year to eventually achieve a 25 percent market share of the fast-growing digital label press market in the country.

Europe debut
Epson will showcase its newly developed water-based inkjet label press, the SurePress L-5034, at the upcoming Labelexpo Europe in Barcelona this September. The concept of the machine was first demonstrated at drupa last year.

The machine employs a high-speed single-pass system, rather than the multi-pass system used in Epson’s existing water-based inkjet models, which enables approximately four times the printing speed.

It is powered by Epson’s newly designed 1,200 DPI print head. The AQ Optimizer and Hybrid Dryer, both newly developed, are intended to achieve offset print quality in a single pass.

The machine will be available for sale in India from mid-2026.

Adyasha Sinha

India and MENA editor

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Maxcess plots growth for India

Adyasha Sinha — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:22:31 +0000

Ancillary equipment 31 October 2025

Maxcess plots growth for India

The company is strategically strengthening its Indian operations through two significant initiatives that will increase its local presence.

India is currently a hub for many global firms seeking opportunities in its rapidly growing industrial sector. The government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, which offers significant advantages in cost efficiency and supply chain resilience, is another key driver why companies are significantly increasing their investments in Indian manufacturing facilities.

Maxcess, a global supplier of automated web handling products and customization services, is poised to capitalize on the opportunities in the Indian market.

The India story
Maxcess is launching two significant initiatives that will increase its local presence. ‘First, the company will commence domestic production of its Fife Guiding systems in 2025. This local manufacturing move aims to serve India’s growing web converting industries better while reducing lead times and import costs,’ shares Niraj Muni, general manager of Maxcess India.

He further adds: ‘Concurrently, Maxcess is establishing an R&D center in India that will have dual strategic importance. Beyond supporting APAC regional needs, this center will serve as a global innovation base, leveraging India’s strong IT talent pool to develop next-generation web handling technology.’

The facility will focus on industrial IoT integration, predictive maintenance algorithms and automation software that will enhance Maxcess products worldwide.

These investments demonstrate the company’s long-term commitment to the Indian market, while also enhancing its global competitiveness. By combining local manufacturing with R&D capabilities, the company positions itself to capitalize on both India’s domestic growth and the worldwide demand for smarter web handling technologies.

Speaking about what they foresee for the Indian market, Muni emphasizes: ‘India represents a rapidly expanding market, particularly in the printing and packaging industries. Both end-users and OEMs are witnessing substantial growth, showing transformative shifts and promising opportunities in the future.’

Keen eye on technology
Founded in 1939 as Fife, the company strategically expanded through key acquisitions, beginning with Tidland in 1995 and Magpowr in 1996. This growth trajectory culminated in 1998 with the establishment of Maxcess Group. Operating from over 30 manufacturing and sales sites worldwide, the company currently employs more than 2,000 professionals.

Maxcess enables its customers to maximize productivity through innovative products and services worldwide by combining global service and support across the RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland, Magpowr, Webex, Valley Roller, Componex, ICD and Maxcess Vision Systems brands. It now provides a diverse range of web handling technologies, encompassing rotary dies, guiding, slitting and winding, tension control, precision rolls and vision inspection products.

Muni shares: ‘Over the past five years, RotoMetrics has merged its legacy with Maxcess, positioning itself to introduce innovative solutions. Automation and digital technology are at the core of this innovation.’

For instance, in 2022, RotoMetrics unveiled the AccuAdjust Dual Adjust Anvil, followed by the RotoAdjust automation system in January 2024. This plug-and-play automation system, paired with IoT software, offers greater operator control, enhanced productivity and Industry 4.0 analytics for smarter operations.

“By implementing AI technology in manufacturing, we have operationalized numerous processes, with more developments in the pipeline”

Talking about some of the upcoming products and the technology involved, Muni comments: ‘The upcoming RotoScan, described as the industry’s first fully automated intelligent die station, will be launched in 2025. This is the future of adjustable anvils. It leverages AI to offer in-line real-time adjustments for material variations. This requires minimal operator assistance because of initiative-taking monitoring, significantly reducing scrap and waste.’

He adds: ‘By implementing AI technology in manufacturing, we have operationalized numerous processes, with more developments in the pipeline.’

AI technology continues to unfold new possibilities at Maxcess. VisionMax, its intelligent vision inspection system, is a highly AI-integrated machine. It utilizes this technology to design systems for detecting and removing defects, even at speeds exceeding 700m/min. VisionMax can precisely identify and address these issues, enabling rewind and inspection processes.

‘These are just a few examples of how we are leveraging AI technology moving forward,’ shares Muni.

What’s new at Maxcess
Maxcess is also focusing on enabling customers through its training programs. In the die-cutting segment, Maxcess is the only supplier offering over 20 training programs, resulting in reduced die damage and extended die life.

‘Our training programs are designed to simplify processes, provide expertise and gain profitability. We have collaborated with many customers to conduct exclusive training for end-users. Our technical expertise is unmatched by competitors,’ concludes Muni.

Adyasha Sinha

India and MENA editor

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S Kumar sees strong momentum in offset-flexo hybrid technology

Adyasha Sinha — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:28:46 +0000

Conventional printing 28 October 2025

S Kumar sees strong momentum in offset-flexo hybrid technology

With over 350 Zonten equipment installations across India, S Kumar Multiproducts is witnessing strong growth for hybrid printing technology.

Established in 1981 in Ahmedabad, India, S Kumar Multiproducts began its journey as a converter before partnering with Zonten, based in China, as its distributor in India. This journey started in 2004, and since then, it has continued without pause.

The company experienced a groundbreaking year, achieving the highest number of flexo and intermittent offset Zonten installations in 2024.

Driving force
According to S Kumar, intermittent offset and flexo printing are gaining popularity due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness and ability to handle a wide range of substrates. Flexo printing, in particular, is seeing increased adoption for packaging and labeling applications due to its speed, adaptability and suitability for both short and long print runs.

‘We believe the short-run flexible packaging market is undergoing a shift,’ says Manish Hansoti, managing director at S Kumar Multiproducts. ‘The new standard for presses is now between 450 and 680mm web width, with large repeat sizes, particularly suited for 12-micron film printing. While gravure still dominates this segment, accounting for nearly 95 percent of the market, the shift has begun. More players are now exploring offset, flexo and digital technologies for short- to medium-run jobs such as pouches, sachets, shrink sleeves and other film-based applications.’

According to Hansoti, the reason for the recent increase in demand for offset is that as the width of the material increases, flexo costs increase substantially, making it unviable for small to medium runs, especially in flexible packaging and IML products. Digital printing also becomes expensive after a certain small quantity is reached.

Zonten and S Kumar’s recent successes include the installation of an offset-flexo hybrid press at Avon FPP in Ahmednagar. This government-funded organization selected Zonten via S Kumar after evaluating several vendors. The press features delam-relam capabilities, turn bar, cold foil, lamination and die-cutting. The machine has a width of 560mm, enabling it to print a wide variety of jobs, and offers production speeds of up to 150m/min.

“We are bullish about the Indian market. As India’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, the packaging machinery sector is reaching new heights”

S Kumar has also sold a 9-color 680mm full rotary offset press to Sprinpack in Delhi. The export-oriented company already had a rotogravure unit. For its small to medium runs, Sprinpack chose the latest Zonten machine, as cylinder costs were not viable, and it wanted to produce small quantities of pouches and sachets.

‘The unique selling point of our press lies in its speed and precision,’ shares S Kumar’s Hansoti. ‘Running between 120 and 150m/min, this full rotary offset press uses 10 servo motors per station, no gears or shafts, just advanced electronic controls. The press comes equipped with auto-inking systems and automatic registration controls.’

S Kumar has also recently completed installations of intermittent offset presses at Janus International in Thane, Vikram Printers in Pune and Moldtek in Hyderabad.

The differentiating factor
What sets S Kumar Multiproducts apart is that it is also a user of Zonten machines and can vouch for its efficiency. Converters planning to purchase Zonten presses can visit the S Kumar facility to observe the machines’ performance and make an informed decision before finalizing their purchase.

The company’s popularity was evident even at Labelexpo India. S Kumar recorded over 30 new installations of Zonten machines following the show, including 15 high-speed slitter-rewinders, 12 flatbed and intermittent die-cutters, three flexo presses and four hybrid presses.

‘We rely on word-of-mouth,’ Hansoti says. ‘Being printers ourselves, we understand the pain points and focus on building trust.’

He further adds: ‘We have a high repeat customer rate, and many of our machines have been running efficiently for over 20 years. After-sales service is a top priority for us. Our team of eight service engineers brings deep technical and printing expertise, and is supported by Zonten’s training programs.’

Another factor that gives the company an edge is that it hosts multiple open houses, in partnership with other converters, who have bought Zonten machines from S Kumar.

It hosted an open house with Avon FPP in June, targeting gravure users who are considering offset as an alternative for short-to medium-run jobs.

It also organized an open house at Dinson Labels in Navi Mumbai, in July, where a latest-generation flexo press was showcased. The press featured dual servo motors on each station and a large chilled roller specifically designed for printing on filmic substrates.

Expansion strategy
In terms of expansion, the company is not only looking to increase its geographical reach but is also developing its portfolio to include other equipment.

‘Expanding beyond India, we have made inroads into the Kenyan and Sri Lankan markets,’ shares Aarjav Hansoti, director at S Kumar Multiproducts. ‘In collaboration with HP Indigo Africa and Smart Printers Nairobi, we have installed a Zonten ZMQ digital finishing machine that combines screen printing, intermittent flexo, hot foil, IML cutting, embossing and slitting, all in a single-pass operation. We have sold a 9-color ZTR 450 press, featuring three servo motors on each station and 10in chilled rollers, to Sri Lanka-based IML leader Jayasinghe Industries for its in-house label production.’

In terms of new equipment, Aarjav Hansoti tells Labels & Labeling about a new, cost-effective inspection camera system that S Kumar launched in 2025.

It is available in both 4K and 8K resolutions and is priced between 23 lakh INR and 31 lakh INR (approximately between 26,000 USD and 36,000 USD). Live demonstrations are available at the company’s demo center in Ahmedabad, India.

“Being a one-stop solution for customers’ packaging needs is becoming increasingly important to ensure consistency of print across various formats”

Additionally, Aarjav Hansoti reveals that Zonten is poised to enter the digital realm with a UV inkjet press, slated for launch later in 2025.

S Kumar is also expanding into folding cartons. Sharing more details about the development, Aarjav Hansoti highlights: ‘Being a one-stop solution for customers’ packaging needs is becoming increasingly important to ensure consistency of print across various formats. Our printing division is expanding into folding cartons with a demo Komori press from Switzerland, targeting the pharma and personal care sectors with short-format jobs.’

The company aims to close FY26 with revenues of 100 crore INR (11.6 million USD), up from 70 crore INR (8.14 million USD) in FY24.

The S Kumar team

‘We are bullish about the Indian market. As India’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, the packaging machinery sector is reaching new heights,’ Manish Hansoti concludes.

S Kumar at Labelexpo India 2024

S Kumar reported 21 deals made at Labelexpo India 2024.

The company sold three flexo presses in four days. New Mumbai-based Dinsons Self Sticks has purchased a Zonten 370mm flexo 8-color, fully loaded, two-servo machine with cold foil, as well as a multi-substrate press equipped with lamination and die-cutting capabilities, along with a stacker conveyor featuring LED and UV properties. The machine incorporates flower-type technology along with delam-relam capabilities. This is Dinsons’ third Zonten flexo press as the company expands its involvement in the labeling business.

Another 8-color 430mm dual servo, fully loaded flexo press was picked by Sayona Labels.

Hindustan Labels of Nashik and Shri Om booked an HFQ 450 servo-driven, high-speed slitter rewinder with tension and web-guide control.

Hapur-based Aroosh Stickers booked a high-speed HFQ 350 slitter-rewinder for its new digital plant.

Ideal Seal Tape acquired a high-speed HMQ 350 die-cutter with a reversible hot foil and a sheeter conveyor.

S Kumar sold another three high-speed HMQ 450 die-cutters with reversible hot foil, lamination, sheeter and conveyor. It also sold three more slitter rewinders.

One intermittent, full-rotary die-cut, sheeter and slitter conveyor was sold to Shri Om Printers in Maharashtra.

S Kumar also sold two HMQ 450 flat-bed die-cutting machines with lamination, reversible hot foil, and a conveyor with sheeting and slitting capabilities, featuring single-pass technology. One was sold to Hyderabad-based Vimal Packaging, which also bought a high-speed HFQ 450 slitter-rewinder. The other machine was sold to Ahmedabad-based Prakash Printers and Coaters.

Two more HMQ 450 machines were sold to Surat-based Krutika Coatings and Hyderabad-based JK Labels.

Another high-speed HFQ 450 slitter-rewinder was sold to Accur8 Bizcom, based in Ahmednagar. It also bought a ZMQ 450 intermittent/full rotary multifunctional converting machine for labels and IML. Mohali-based United Labels also picked this machine.

Commenting on the company’s success at the show, Manish Hansoti, managing director, S Kumar Multiproducts, says: ‘We had a tremendous time at Labelexpo India. We are extremely proud of our performance. We booked a large number of machines, which is a first for our participation in Labelexpo. The show has exceeded our expectations, and we hope to come back bigger and stronger in the next edition.’

Adyasha Sinha

India and MENA editor

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Eadec’s expansion blueprint pays dividends

Adyasha Sinha — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:39:13 +0000

Market trends 28 October 2025

Eadec’s expansion blueprint pays dividends

The Spanish converter has successfully expanded into Chile and Peru, and now has its sights set on Mexico.

Multinational label converting groups are usually formed
through a familiar blueprint. Companies from different
countries join forces, either through acquisitions or
mergers, motivated by serving multinational brands with the same technology and quality in different geographic markets, or by the economies of scale achievable through sharing resources and bulk-buying consumables.

Yet in Latin America, family-owned Spanish converter Eadec is following a different path.

The company opened a facility in Chile in 2004, and LATAM
manager Javier Ibero, son of Eadec’s founder Ildefonso Ibero, who was running the Chile operation since 2012, then relocated to Peru in 2017 to set up a site.

Eadec Peru has put a difficult two years following the pandemic behind it to achieve double-digit growth so far this year. And now Ibero has his sights set on further expansion, with an ambitious plan to inaugurate a company in Mexico in the next two years.

Unlike some multinational groups, the Spanish, Chilean and
Peruvian operations under the Eadec umbrella don’t sell to the same clients, but they share a focus on market niches. ‘My vision is of a multinational group of label printing companies that serve small and medium-sized clients rather than global brands, focusing on market niches,’ explains Ibero.

Nor does Ibero, a driven man clearly passionate about his work, envisage selling out to a larger converting group. ‘I don’t want to stop. I like to compete,’ he emphasizes. ‘I come to a country, I install myself, I start a business, and I grow that business. That’s what I love to do. But I am keen to attract investment into our burgeoning group, for example, from private equity. It would allow us to expand our footprint even further.’

Expanding horizons
Eadec was founded in 1994 by Ildefonso Ibero and three business partners in the small town of Cascante in Navarra, northern Spain. Employing digital and flexo technology, it serves the food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, pharma, industrial, wine and spirits, and transport and logistics markets.

By the early 2000s, the company felt that in Spain’s mature label industry, the only way to gain market share was to lower margins. Instead, Ildefonso Ibero and his partners decided to expand Eadec’s footprint and open a facility in another country. They identified Latin America and Eastern Europe as the most promising options, and during a tour organized by the government for Spanish business professionals in Chile, Ildefonso Ibero was able to make some contacts and begin the project’s development.

“My vision is of a multinational group of label printing companies that serve small and medium-sized clients, focusing on market niches”

Eadec Chile was opened in 2004. ‘Despite the distance, and the fact that the project was complex and costly to get off the ground, by 2007 the company was already seeing the benefits,’ says Javier Ibero. ‘In 2012, I was offered the chance to enter the business and take on the challenge of the project in Chile. At the time, I had already finished a degree in industrial mechanical engineering and was working in the energy sector. I had also spent time at a food company. The project seemed interesting to me, so I decided to go to Chile and accept the challenge. The company in Chile had a great deal of investment and growth. In the first five years, we doubled the size of the business and installed a whole new set of equipment.’

Along a highly competitive market — Chile has more HP Indigo presses per capita than any other Latin American country — the business landscape has become even tougher in recent years, says Ibero. ‘The Chilean label market is overserved. There are too many converters and too much competition,’ he explains. ‘Capacity is double the size of the market itself. This has caused a price war. Prices have dropped 30-40 percent in the last five years.’

Wine labels printed by Eadec Chile

Ibero admits that Eadec Chile suffered ‘bad years’ following
the pandemic, but growth returned to 11 percent in 2024 and has already reached an impressive 48 percent so far this year. ‘Some of that is recuperating previous losses,’ he says. ‘But it shows we are back on the right track.’

Growth potential
Before settling on Peru as the next destination for a new factory, Ibero looked closely at Argentina and Colombia. ‘Ultimately, we decided that, as more developed markets, there was less opportunity for us,’ he says. ‘The decision was made because of the growth potential of the Peruvian market and because we saw that we could add value in certain products and sectors.’

Ibero’s first visit to Peru took place in 2016. ‘I arrived with a suitcase full of labels and started showing them around,’ he recalls. Through a contact at Spain’s Chamber of Commerce, he was introduced to Arnau Casasus, a Spaniard from Barcelona who was living in Lima. A similar age to Ibero, the pair became friends and Casasus helped the fledgling operation navigate Peru’s business landscape.

The factory was opened in 2017. The company installed an HP Indigo digital press and a Grafotronic converting system, as well as a flexo press and Lombardi finishing line to tackle longer runs. The initial focus was on the wine and spirits sector, with local alcoholic beverage pisco, a particularly strong market in Peru.

‘Next to our factory is a restaurant, and when I first started going there, I noticed shelves with lots of bottles of pisco,’ says Ibero. ‘We learned about local pisco and wine producers, and now around 70 percent of the bottles on those shelves are labeled by Eadec.’

Eadec Peru has achieved ‘consistent double-digit growth’ since its foundation, according to Ibero. Its staff and factory space have both doubled too, while a new flexo press will soon treble flexo production and double the company’s overall production capacity. The new press, ordered at Labelexpo Mexico in Guadalajara in April, is wider and faster than Eadec Peru’s existing flexo machine.

“I arrived with a suitcase full of labels and started showing them around”

The wine and spirits market remains a key focus for Eadec. Labels produced for that sector are usually printed on the HP Indigo digital press and feature high levels of embellishment. ‘The pisco market is showing strong growth,’ says Ibero. ‘The success of Peruvian gastronomy attracts tourists who can discover the drink, and has also led to more Peruvian restaurants opening abroad. This helps the pisco market to grow.’

But Eadec Peru’s largest end-user market is now agro-industry, to which long-run flexo printing is better suited. ‘The new press is a mid-web machine which will bring us some different characteristics and the ability to handle a wider range of materials,’ says Ibero. ‘We will be able to handle longer runs that we previously could, and it will allow us to produce shrink sleeves, wraparound labels and flexible packaging.’

Pisco label printed by Eadec Peru

The company also sells label applicators. ‘We started representing some European applicator brands and installed our first batch of machines in 2018,’ says Ibero. ‘We’ve now sold more than 25. They are double the price of locally made machines, but quality demands are rising in the local market. We often sell to agro-industrial companies, who we are also serving with labels, so it helps to create a closer relationship with the customer.’

Javier Ibero aims to replicate Eadec’s success in Chile and Peru by setting up an operation in Mexico. He intends to begin the project in earnest next year, with the aim of inaugurating a new plant in 2027. ‘Mexico is a much bigger market. A country of 130 million people, compared to Peru’s 34 million and Chile’s 20 million,’ he says. ‘We are looking for a partner to help navigate the local market. We want to replicate the Peru project, while tweaking certain things to adapt to the local industry. It is important to adapt to the needs of the customer.’

Should the project come to fruition, it would mean a fourth facility in as many countries, with a presence on three continents: Europe, North America and South America. Ibero is excited about the prospect of another new project in another new country. ‘You have to be predisposed to adventure,’ he says. ‘I am that type of person. I love it.’

James Quirk

Latin America Correspondent

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Elopak to add third production line at US plant

Adyasha Sinha — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:17:32 +0000

Global packaging company Elopak has added a third production line at its Little Rock, Arkansas, plant in response to demand for its sustainable Pure-Pak cartons.

Announcing the news at Elopak’s quarterly results presentation, CEO Thomas Körmendi said: 'This is a significant achievement. Just four months after officially opening in Little Rock, we are already adding two new production lines. This is a testament to the quality of our low-carbon, sustainable Pure-Pak cartons, which are resonating with brands and consumers alike. I’d like to thank all our colleagues at Little Rock and our Americas team for their hard work, dedication and incredible levels of effort, which are clearly paying off.'

The new line will cost 30 million USD to bring online and will produce a mix of smaller Pure-Pak cartons, including school milk cartons, to better serve the needs of Elopak’s customers and grow with them.

In April 2025, Elopak opened its Arkansas plant with production capacity selling out before a single carton had left the factory floor. In September 2025, the company announced it was investing in a second production line ahead of schedule to compensate for higher-than-expected demand. Production on this line is predicted to start in 2026.

Elopak’s first-ever US production plant represents a total investment of 128 million USD. It employs around 100 people and produces Pure-Pak cartons for dairy, juice, plant-based drinks and liquid eggs.

Expanding the company’s footprint in North America is a significant part of Elopak’s ‘Repackaging tomorrow’ strategy, which seeks to double revenue to 2 billion EUR by 2030.

Elopak reported its highest quarterly EBITDA to date of 49.1 million EUR in the third quarter of 2025, corresponding to a 17.0 percent margin. Organic revenue grew by 1.2 percent year-over-year to 289.7 million EUR, driven by continued momentum in the US, with sales growth of 18 percent on a constant-currency basis. The US plant in Little Rock delivered its first profitable quarter, marking a key milestone in Elopak’s strategic expansion.

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Elopak to add third production line at US plant

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The new line will cost 30 million USD to bring online and will produce a mix of smaller Pure-Pak cartons.

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The new line will cost 30 million USD to bring online and will produce a mix of smaller Pure-Pak cartons.

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Flexible packaging adds 151 billion USD to US economy

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 21:29:00 +0000

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has released its 2025 Economic Impact Report, revealing that the industry contributes 151.4 billion USD in total economic output and supports 398,780 jobs across all 528 sectors of the US economy.

The report, prepared by John Dunham & Associates, highlights the flexible packaging sector's role in supporting American manufacturing and commerce. The industry directly employs 98,420 people in packaging manufacturing, while creating 155,520 supplier jobs and 144,840 induced positions.

'Flexible packaging is one of those industries that most people never think about, but can't live without,' according to Dan Felton, president and CEO of FPA. 'From food and medicine to critical household goods, flexible packaging keeps products protected, extends shelf life and helps reduce waste.'

The sector generates 33.46 billion USD in wages and benefits, including 8.7 billion USD from direct employment, 14.7 billion USD from suppliers and 10 billion USD from induced impacts. The industry also produces 13.35 billion USD in federal, state and local taxes.

Flexible packaging represents approximately 0.5 percent of US GDP and includes pouches, wraps and films used across manufacturing, food and beverage, healthcare and consumer goods sectors. The lightweight, resource-efficient design reduces transportation costs, extends shelf life and minimizes material use.

The association notes that the sector creates ripple effects throughout the economy, supporting raw material suppliers, logistics, design, finance and professional services in every state.

The full report, including national, state and congressional district level data, is available at the FPA website.

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Flexible packaging adds 151 billion USD to US economy

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New report reveals sector supports nearly 400,000 American jobs nationwide.

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Keypoint Intelligence partners with 42 Technology to accelerate print innovation

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 22:03:05 +0000

Keypoint Intelligence and 42 Technology have formed a strategic partnership designed to help companies bring breakthrough technologies to market faster in digital print, inkjet and packaging sectors.

The alliance bridges the gap between engineering development and market deployment, offering a consultative go-to-market approach for OEMs, materials suppliers and converters developing new print systems, workflows and applications. The partnership combines 42 Technology's engineering and technology development expertise with Keypoint Intelligence's market insight and industry reach.

The print industry is seeking more sustainable options, faster turnaround times and digital flexibility, yet many innovations stall before reaching market because of scale-up risks, drying limitations or unclear positioning. The partnership addresses these challenges by supporting companies from feasibility through pilot to full rollout.

Services offered include rapid technology validation and prototyping, commercial modeling and competitive analysis, go-to-market strategy and segmentation, and access to customer feedback and market insights.

'This partnership is all about helping clients move faster with less risk,' Dr Peter Brown, chief commercial officer at 42 Technology, explained. 'By combining deep engineering with go-to-market clarity, we're making it easier for great ideas to become a commercial reality.'

Anthony Sci, president and CEO of Keypoint Intelligence, added that the partnership gives the industry a new way to develop, position and launch transformative technologies, particularly as inkjet expands into new territories.

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Keypoint Intelligence partners with 42 Technology to accelerate print innovation

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The alliance combines engineering expertise with market intelligence for faster commercialization.

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Label industry must adapt to geopolitical shifts, Finat warns

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 22:33:06 +0000

Finat has warned that geopolitical tensions and socio-economic changes are reshaping supply chains, sustainability demands and regulatory frameworks across the label industry during the opening keynote of European Label Forum 2025.

Ron Keller, delivering the keynote, highlighted how regional conflicts, export controls and raw material bottlenecks are forcing label printers and converters to rethink their sourcing strategies. 'Companies must treat regulation no longer as a cost of doing business but as a strategic terrain in which influence must be exerted,' Keller explained.

The keynote emphasized that many specialty inks, adhesives and films are produced in geopolitically sensitive regions, creating material sourcing risks when export licensing or trade sanctions interrupt supply. Keller urged companies to map their supply chains and identify single-source or high-risk suppliers, recommending strategic reserves of critical components rather than lean inventories.

On sustainability, Keller noted that brands are scrutinizing their entire value chain, including labels, adhesives and film waste, as part of their environmental story. 'We see brands are scrutinizing their entire value chain, labels, adhesives, film waste, as part of their environmental story, not just the main packaging,' he stated.

The speaker also addressed the increasing role of technology in geopolitical competition, arguing that AI, automation and digital platforms have become battlegrounds in national sovereignty. Keller warned that countries striving for control over data, semiconductor supply and high-end manufacturing tools could reshape which geographies lead in label innovation.

Finat emphasized that tariff and trade policy changes affecting raw materials from the EU, UK, US and China could impact margins. At the same time, local content requirements may unlock new contract opportunities for regionally positioned suppliers.

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2 weeks 4 days ago

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Label industry must adapt to geopolitical shifts, Finat warns

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European Label Forum keynote highlights supply chain risks and regulatory pressures.

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European Label Forum keynote highlights supply chain risks and regulatory pressures.

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Labelexpo rebrands to Loupe

Akanksha Meena — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:52:29 +0000

From 2026 Labelexpo Global Series will change its name to Loupe, with the first show under the new brand name, Loupe Americas 2026, taking place in Chicago next September.

The name change reflects the fact that printing technology developed for the labels industry - in-line flexo, digital and hybrid - is now disrupting the wider worlds of flexible packaging and folding cartons.

History

In its early years, Labelexpo was focused on narrow web converting of self-adhesive labels. Over the next two decades the show diversified into new technologies including shrink sleeves, wraparound and in-mold labels as well as new smart technologies such as RFID.

Over the last ten years, flexible packaging has become a growing part of Labelexpo.

This trend began with the launch of the HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press.

Flexo press manufacturers like Bobst, Omet, Lombardi, Nilpeter and Mark Andy then developed wider presses to handle flexible packaging. Suppliers of laminators started exhibiting; new suppliers like Synthogra came on board to offer short lead-time delivery of flexible packaging substrates. Karlville and Galaxy brought pouch-making machines to Labelexpo. Inks and coatings suppliers demonstrated their flexible packaging systems.

A survey of exhibitors at Labelexpo Europe 2025 showed that over 45 percent sold their products to both labels and flexible packaging converters. Registration data for Labelexpo Europe 2023 showed fully 40 percent of visitors registered an interest in flexible packaging as well as labels.

Flexpack to folding cartons

Now we see a similar trend happening with folding cartons. Registration data from Labelexpo Europe 2023 showed an astonishing 25 percent of show visitors registered an interest in folding cartons, long before folding cartons were promoted at the show.

What is driving this increasing interest in folding cartons at Labelexpo?

Firstly, folding carton printers are already visiting the show to look at label technology and to meet co-suppliers; second, label converters are looking at diversifying into folding cartons using the same inline, digital and hybrid technology they are already familiar with; and finally, the bigger consolidated package printing groups service all three sectors - labels, flexible packaging and folding cartons - and are already familiar with the core label converting technologies they find at Labelexpo.

At Labelexpo Europe 2025 Canon-Edale showed for the first time a flexo press producing finished, printed and decorated folding cartons in a single pass with inline turnbar, foiling, cast&cure holographic decoration and inline flatbed die cutting. It is this inline flexo technology, already familiar to label converters, that has the potential to disrupt the sheetfed offset folding carton industry, which is based on multi-stage production and extensive work-in-progress.

As with flexible packaging, it is a question of finding the correct applications where inline flexo, digital and hybrid technologies can establish a competitive advantage. This is generally in shorter run, highly decorated, smaller format work.

Edale was not alone in demonstrating folding carton technology at Labelexpo Europe 2025. Actega, for example, showed samples of barrier coated cartons replacing PE/board laminates and Konica Minolta showed digitally-printed carton samples.

Industry on board

With the diversification of Labelexpo into flexible packaging and now folding cartons, the show has naturally evolved into a wider package printing and converting exhibition, though with labels still very much at its core. This led the Labelexpo team to consider a new brand identity to reflect the growing presence of flexible packaging and folding carton converting technology at the show.

An outside consultancy was tasked with carrying out extensive research into how the label industry, and adjacent sectors, would react to a name change. The outcome was overwhelmingly positive.

After extensive debate, the name Loupe was chosen. Why Loupe?

The Loupe is a ubiquitous symbol of precision and quality throughout the labels and package printing industry. It is also a double acronym for Labels and OUter Pack Embellishment.

To be absolutely clear, the Loupe rebrand is not competing with general print shows like drupa, or with packaging shows like Fachpack or Pack Expo. It is about taking the core technology developed by the labels industry – inline flexo and rotary offset, digital and hybrid – into new market sectors where there are enormous opportunities for future development.

You will not see a CI, gravure or sheetfed offset press at Loupe. What you will see is the existing Loupe supplier base developing new technology for the efficient and profitable production of labels, short run flexible packaging, and both inline and digital folding cartons.

Posted date

3 weeks 2 days ago

Short title

Labelexpo rebrands to Loupe

Short summary

Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director at the Informa Labels & Packaging Group, explains the thinking behind changing the name of the iconic label show to Loupe.

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Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director at the Informa Labels & Packaging Group, explains the thinking behind changing the name of the iconic label show to Loupe.

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