Folding cartons

Folding carton and flexpack enter Labelexpo

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:44:10 +0000

Folding cartons 02 September 2025

Folding carton and flexpack enter Labelexpo

As the industry shifts towards flexible packaging and folding cartons, exhibitors already supply a wide range of products catering to these markets.

As the industry moves more into flexible packaging and folding cartons, Labelxpo Europe exhibitors already supply a wide range of products catering to those markets.

Labelexpo Europe 2025 will be the first in the event’s 25-year history to focus on folding cartons as well as labels and short-run flexible packaging.

Given how much print, converting and embellishment technology is shared across all package printing sectors, it is perhaps not surprising that over 25 percent of existing exhibitors at Labelexpo Europe 2025 have portfolios that reach across labels, flexible packaging and folding cartons.

FOLDING CARTONS

Inks and coatings

In the inks and coatings sector, suppliers to the folding carton industry include Sun Chemical, Flint Group, Eckhart, HuberGroup, INX, Paragon Inks, Toyo Inks and Zeller+Gmelin. GSE focuses on liquid ink logistics, where traceability is a key requirement.

Flexible packaging materials suppliers are recognizing the new mid‑web in-line technology as a distinct market sector and opportunity

These exhibitors span sheet-fed/rotary offset and flexo technologies across a range of chemistries, including UV and LED-UV, as well as water-based inks and coatings. The show also features a strong lineup of UV and LED-UV lamp technologies from companies such as GEW and Excelitas.

Barrier coatings are a key technology for both flexpack and folding cartons, and are well represented at Labelexpo Europe 2025 by companies such as Archroma Packaging Technologies and Triwill Group. Adhesives suppliers with specialist folding carton grades include Bostik and Eukalin.

Foiling and embellishment

Foiling also spans labels and folding cartons. Kurz, for example, is a key supplier to the folding carton sector, both for in-line cold foil application on sheet-fed presses and in off-line hot stamping configurations.

Pantec’s Cheetah W850/1060 rotary stamping technology is available for both in-line and off-line folding carton applications and is a strong performer in the tobacco packaging market.

Other foiling suppliers at Labelexpo Europe, spanning both sectors, include API, Univacco, and Gietz, with Leonardus demonstrating its holographic foils.

Digital embellishment is gaining increasing traction for both label and folding carton converters and this technology can be seen at Labelexpo Europe 2025 from suppliers like JetFX and Konica Minolta, which demonstrated its MGI AlphaJET single pass B1/B2 digital print and embellishment system at drupa.

Ancillary and consumables

Since wet glue labels remain the dominant technology for primary labels, Labelexpo Europe 2025 showcases suppliers of various ancillary technologies and consumables for offset presses.

These include suppliers like Continental showing offset blankets and Felix Boettcher displaying its offset pressroom chemicals.

In-line flexo coating units are standard equipment on offset presses specified for folding cartons, and the complete flexo ecosystem can be seen at Labelexpo Europe 2025. This includes varnishes, plates, anilox rolls, doctor blades, enclosed chambers, double-sided tapes, anilox cleaning systems and ink and varnish pump dispensers.

Inspection companies also span the three main package printing applications. Suppliers exhibiting at Labelexpo Europe include AVT and Luster Lightech, a Chinese AI-based inspection system developer. EyeC supplies the ProofRunner Carton 100 percent quality control system, which sits directly on the folder gluer.

Nilpeter FA-26 can be configured for folding cartons

Die-cutting/creasing

Die-cutting and tooling suppliers use Labelexpo to promote their label die-cutting plates and cylinders; however, these companies are also active in the folding carton market, particularly with male-female die sets for cutting and creasing on rotary flexo and offset presses. These exhibitors include Kocher + Beck, Wink, Sysco, Maxcess/Rotometrics and Lartec.

Laser die-cutting is an area of increasing importance at Labelexpo Europe, and laser cut/crease has also been a focus of development for the folding carton industry. Lang Laser, for example, has developed the Cartos Singular laser cutter, which allows for the production of folding carton samples, scalable up to full production runs. The Cartos system can also be used for intricate cutouts.

Among the new exhibitors is Technifold, whose retrofittable Technicrease cassette is designed to replace custom male and female creasing dies.

Pre-press

Automation of key pre-press processes, including preflight, imposition and color management, is common to all package printing processes. Both Esko and Hybrid Software specialize in full folding carton workflows, including structural design and 3D visualization. GMG offers its color-accurate prototype proofing system for folding cartons, while Hamilroad promotes its Belissima DMS screening technology for both litho and flexo applications.

Printing presses

Edale showcases its CartonLine folding carton press, demonstrating fully in-line print and converting of folding cartons. The press is configured with six LED-UV flexo units, a rail-mounted turnbar, lamination and Edale’s EZ foil unit with an in-line flatbed die-cutter.

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

Although this is currently the only folding carton press confirmed for the event, a wide range of presses at the show can be configured for in-line folding carton production. This is particularly the case for the ‘mid-web’ (26in/670mm) presses displayed at the show by Nilpeter, Mark Andy, Lombardi and Chinese supplier Spande.

Omet has a long history of building dedicated folding carton presses based around its Varyflex platform.

Rotatek demonstrates a print unit from its Universal 850 press configurable for folding cartons, along with an AI project that models ink-water balance on offset press platforms.

Mark Andy recently announced that its MAPP division, which supplies consumables and plate-making equipment to packaging converters, will now add folding carton consumables.

Giave LED-UV CI press

There is also great potential for digital printing of folding cartons among exhibitors. Xeikon has demonstrated digital print and embellishment of folding cartons at previous Labelexpo shows, while HP Indigo has a portfolio of digital sheet-fed solutions. Fujifilm has the JetPress 750 sheet-fed press configured for folding carton production.

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

While folding cartons are new to Labelexpo, flexible packaging has been gathering momentum at the show for at least the last decade. Increasing numbers of label converters are adding flexpack to their portfolios, and wide-web flexpack converters are visiting Labelexpo to meet co-suppliers and to investigate short-run options using in-line or digital technology.

Because conventional flexible packaging presses primarily use flexographic technology, whether in-line or central impression (CI), all suppliers of flexo pre-press, plates and platemaking, inks and varnishes, anilox and doctor blades are relevant to flexible packaging converters.

The growth in the use of LED-UV curing systems is highly relevant to in-line printing of flexible packaging, as they significantly reduce the amount of heat transferred to the web compared to a standard arcUV lamp system.

GEW demonstrates its water-cooled LED LeoLED2 and E4C combination, which the company recommends for flexible package printing, although in some situations, GEW says its air-cooled AeroLED2 and E2C are sufficient

Surface treatment is an absolute must for the flexible packaging converter working primarily with filmic substrates, and IEEC and Vetaphone are among the suppliers demonstrating these systems.

ArrowJet Hybrid Pro

Label converters moving are finding profitable niches in short-run, value-added flexible packaging work. However, what is considered a short run for flexpack is still a long run in labels, and may justify investment in the kinds of automated, non-stop unwinds and rewinds demonstrated by Martin Automatic.

Inks and varnishes

Where FMCG labels are mostly affixed to containers with a functional barrier against ink migration, flexible packaging is the direct container of the edible or drinkable contents. Apart from pouch materials which incorporate an aluminium barrier layer, this makes the ink and coatings choice a more critical factor. UV or LED-UV inks need to be specified as low-migration and often need to be encapsulated in a water-based coating. In other cases, brands may specify the use of water-based or solvent inks.

Among ink suppliers that can advise on these choices are Flint Group, Huber Group, Pulse, Toyo Ink Europe, Sun Chemical, VPF Ink Technologies, Frimpeks, Siegwerk, Zeller+Gmelin and Super Color.

Along with inks, barrier coatings and packaging adhesives are other key topics of interest to flexible packaging converters. At Labelexpo, first-time exhibitor Archroma highlights its adhesives for flexible packaging while RK Print Coat Instruments demonstrates R&D and QC test equipment for coating, inks, adhesives and barrier coatings.

MIS and workflow tools

As noted for folding cartons, MIS suppliers to the labels industry generally also have modules covering other packaging types, including flexible packaging.

Conics demonstrates an automated production workflow and planning tool for flexible packaging producers; Sistrade shows its dedicated flexible packaging MIS module, and Theurer showcases its C3 Flexible Packaging & Converting, which is the pre-configured business template for flexible packaging, film manufacturing and converting within theurer.com C3. Design, 3D visualization and workflow tools specific to flexible packaging can be viewed on the Esko and Hybrid Software stands.

Digital presses

While HP has long dominated the digital flexible packaging sector (although the company does not show the 200K at Labelexpo Europe), water-based inkjet is increasingly the technology of choice for digital flexible packaging.

Arrow Systems shows its ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M printing on UPM Confidio barrier papers, along with sample pouches printed on the ArrowJet Aqua 800.

Comexi midweb F4

Screen promotes its Truepress PAC 520P water-based inkjet press for paper-based packaging. The company also shows samples from its Truepress PAC 830F water-based inkjet press for flexible packaging films.

But WB is not the only digital process on view at Labelexpo. Valloy launches the toner-based Rollio Xpress, a compact 330mm (13in)-wide 4-color press which can print on thin BOPP, aluminum foil, paper or composite film at resolutions of 1,200 x 2,400 DPI.

Durst demonstrates its latest LED-UV inkjet Tau press, specified for surface printing on barrier lamitubes and pouches. The press uses low-migration LED-UV inks.

In-line conventional

Mid-web presses (26-30in / 670-800mm) are ideally suited to the format sizes of flexible packaging and are well represented at the show. The ability to hold register on thin and extensible substrates is a must, along with ‘soft’ tension control systems.

Mid-web machines at the show capable of handling flexible packaging films include the Spande AC, Nilpeter FA-26, Mark Andy Performance Series S9, Omet X7 and Lombardi Invicta i1. Bobst and MPS both promote their mid-web presses configured for flexible packaging, although with no presses at the show. Rotatek shows a print unit from its Universal 850 rotary offset press, while Bengraphic demonstrates its F8-650 press specified for flexible packaging, with heavy-duty dual servo-driven print and converting units.

Multitec and Weigang both say their presses are capable of handling flexpack materials, with the Weigang ZJR series specified to handle 12 micron films.

Although there are no CI or gravure flexible packaging presses at the show, several suppliers will promote this technology to label converters looking to ramp up production volumes. Comexi promotes its F4 CI press, designed for shorter runs and available in the ‘mid-web’ 670 and 800mm-wide formats. This is an example of how CI and in-line presses are converging on this width.

A particularly interesting CI development is Giave’s Gialux UV LED CI press. Because it does not require a drying tunnel, the press is compact and eliminates the use of solvents.

Embellishment

One of the key advantages of in-line printing of flexible packaging is the ability to add decoration processes on a modular basis, in exactly the same way as on a label press.

Cold foil is one value-added decoration process for flexible packaging. Pantec demonstrates a range of pouch and embellishment possibilities, including textured foiling/embossing and micro‑embossing using its Rhino S410 embellishment equipment.

A range of exhibitors, including Kurz and Lemmaco, demonstrate cold foil and adhesive systems suitable for application to flexible packaging materials.

Digital embellishment is a key trend in both labels and flexible packaging. At the show, JetFX launches the Solo FlexPack, which extends digital embellishment to flexible packaging. With FDA-compliant embellishments and optional UV or eBeam curing, it allows food-safe gloss, matte and embossed finishes directly in-line on pouches, films, and wraps. The unit can be installed in-line on a press, on a laminator or on an off-line finishing machine.

Cutting and perforating tooling

Berhalter Swiss demonstrates die-cutting systems tooled for a wide range of flexible packaging applications, including lidding materials, as does Schobertechnologies, which brings to the show cutting, perforation and punching tools for flexible packaging.

Substrates

Flexible packaging materials suppliers are recognizing the new mid-web in-line technology as a distinct market sector and opportunity, which tends to require more of a ‘label-supply’ mentality of smaller and more frequent deliveries, even slit to width.

Barrier coatings are a key technology for both flexpack and folding cartons and are well represented at Labelexpo Europe 2025

Synthogra has led the way in tailoring its inventory to the requirements of the emerging mid-web in-line market. The company shows a high-barrier, mono-material film for flexible packaging in PE and PP, suitable for pouches and other applications.

GMerix showcases its custom-coated PET and specialty films for flexible packaging applications. The company also promotes contract slitting and rewinding services for flexible packaging films, toll coating and R&D support.

Nobelus is releasing a line of eight films in a variety of finishes and material types compatible with different flexible packaging structures. For gloss and matte, the company offers its Platinum OPP films and sustainable EcoElement CLS films, which can be used for compostable packaging. Toray International demonstrates its mono-material and retortable films.

Slitting and rewinding

While materials suppliers transition to a new supply model for short-run production, converters are investing in warehousing space to hold stock and slitters to process master rolls. There is also a requirement for slitting mid-web rolls off-line, and Ashe demonstrates its 800mm-wide Solitaire duplex slitter tailored to mid-web in-line flexible packaging presses.

Pouch making

Many label converters who have moved into flexible package printing have taken the next step up the value chain by taking pouch making in-house. At Labelexpo, Galaxy Packtech showcases its GS 24 Plus 200 pouch-making machine, designed for the production of stand-up pouches, three-side seal pouches and zipper pouches at speeds of up to 200 cycles per minute with a working web width of 200-1,200mm. It is fully compatible with recyclable mono-materials.

Shrink sleeves = flexibles?

It is interesting to note that for the wide-web converter, shrink sleeve labels fall under the category of flexible packaging, along with stretch sleeves and all other forms of unsupported filmic materials. For these converters, there is a wealth of shrink sleeve suppliers to visit at Labelexpo Europe 2025, demonstrating everything from inks, coatings and materials to seaming and inspection machines.

Exhibitors in this segment include DCM Group with its Sleeve3 entry-level forming, perforating, hotmelt application and inspection system; Karlville shows its latest K3 Plus Seamer, which can be configured as a stand-alone unit or with turrets; the Polly Automatic PA-series shrink sleeve seaming machine; Eckart metallic inks for both LED/UV and solvent gravure systems; and sustainable shrink sleeve materials from Taghleef, Klockner Pentaplast, Innovia and Sleevemaker by Maytech.

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Folding cartons come to Labelexpo Europe

Adyasha Sinha — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 07:14:26 +0000

Folding cartons 01 August 2025

Folding cartons come to Labelexpo Europe

From 2025, Labelexpo Europe will be expanded to include folding carton technology.

Labelexpo Europe 2025, to be held in Barcelona from September 16-19, will now include folding carton technology alongside labels and flexible packaging.

This looks like a big change for the show, but it is, in fact, more of a natural evolution based on in-line and digital technologies that look to disrupt the traditional folding carton industry in much the same way they did with flexible packaging.

Throughout its history, Labelexpo has constantly adapted to new package printing technologies. The early Labelexpo shows, starting in 1980 in Brussels, focused on new technology for self-adhesive labels converted in-line on narrow web presses.

As labels expanded into new formats, such as shrink sleeves, wraparound and in-mold labels, Labelexpo adapted to showcase these technologies.

The next major evolution for Labelexpo was the addition of flexible packaging, which happened around a decade ago with the launch of the 30in wide HP Indigo 20000 digital press.

Flexo press manufacturers developed wider ‘mid-web’ presses in the 26-30in (670-800mm) range, better adapted to handling these larger packaging formats.

Label converters who diversified into flexible packaging — typically stand-up pouches —found this opened up new market opportunities, strengthening their label businesses.

We are now seeing a similar convergence of print technologies between labels and folding cartons, which has the potential to open up new markets for label converters and other market disruptors.

Converging technologies

Today, folding cartons are overwhelmingly printed sheet-fed offset, followed by creasing and die-cutting, hot stamping and embossing. These multiple process steps add lead time and create a lot of work-in-progress (WIP) as pallets are moved between workstations.

“We are now seeing a similar convergence of print technologies between labels and folding cartons with the potential to open up new markets for label converters and other market disruptors”

Core Labelexpo technologies — in-line flexo, rotary offset, digital and hybrid — could revolutionize this traditional workflow.

In-line flexo, rotary offset and hybrid presses allow the processing of folding cartons in a single pass from printing and coating to cut-crease and sheeting, eliminating the work-in-progress associated with a sheet-fed offset workflow.

Of course, additional process steps can be added in-line, such as screen printing, foiling, embossing and VDP/numbering. The finished cartons are immediately ready for shipping or further processing on folder-gluer machinery.

This workflow will be demonstrated at Labelexpo Europe 2025 by Edale, now owned by Canon. The company will bring an FL5 Carton Production Line to the show, featuring in-line semi-rotary flatbed die-cutting.

In other carton-related developments, Tec-ni-Fold launches an in-line creasing module for in-line presses, and Rotatek shows a print station from its Universal 850 rotary offset press, which is specified for folding cartons.

There is also a wide range of existing exhibitors like Bobst, Omet, Sappi and more, who also supply to the folding carton market.

Digital and hybrid

Digital printing has enormous potential for short-run and personalized folding carton production. In 2013, HP Indigo demonstrated a folding carton line built around a Tresu coater and a 30000 digital press (today the 35k), with partner Kama demonstrating half-size die-cut/creasing and Highcon demonstrating laser converting.

Recently, HP announced the sale of an HP Indigo 35k digital press to label converter Altro Industries in Canada. The company can now sell PS and shrink sleeve labels, folding cartons and packaging tapes.

Canadian label converter Altro moves into folding cartons with HP Indigo 35k

Interesting developments have also been made in water-based inkjet for folding cartons. Mark Andy’s executive vice president, Tom Cavalco, says the company is actively considering how to apply its hybrid UV inkjet platform to the folding carton market.

Labelexpo could speed the adoption of digital printing in the folding carton market, just as it did for labels and flexible packaging.

The addition of folding cartons to Labelexpo is also likely to galvanize developments in short-run converting systems and digital embellishment. For example, Prati showed during an open house event in 2022 a Digifast20000 carton converting line that allowed users of HP Indigo’s 20000/25k press to switch between flexible packaging and folding carton production on the same finishing machine. The Digifast20000 was fitted with a dual UV/hot air drying flexo coating station to handle UV or water-based coatings for the food industry.

Prati’s DigiFast 20000 adapted to handle folding cartons

We should also not forget that, by far, the biggest volumes of wet glue labels and in-mold labels are printed on sheet-fed offset presses. One result of bringing folding cartons into Labelexpo will be an increased focus on the high levels of automation on these presses and new in-line coating and foiling systems on sheet-fed offset presses.

Common themes

In addition to overlapping print technologies, wider themes unite labels, flexible packaging and folding carton converters at Labelexpo.

Sustainability is a key one, driven by the EU’s looming PPWR initiative. Labelexpo Europe 2025 will examine these trends at a feature area on the show floor, with daily presentations and interactive exhibits.

Sustainability issues are pushing many brands to consider moving from plastics to technical paper and fiberboard-based packaging formats. However, a major issue is barrier protection, which usually means non-recyclable laminations with aluminum or PE. This is addressed by Labelexpo exhibitors such as Actega, which will show samples of its barrier coating technology.

Automation is another common theme. Labelexpo exhibitors already demonstrate process automation software and robotics systems, focusing on end-of-line material handling. The addition of folding cartons will no doubt expand this area of the show.

The future

What might persuade a folding carton converter to visit Labelexpo? One would suspect the same reasons flexible packaging converters now visit the show: a general interest in visiting co-suppliers, and a general interest in new print and decorative technologies.

“At Labelexpo Europe 2023, over 25 percent of visitors registered expressed an interest in folding carton technology. This demonstrates that Labelexpo has transformed into a package printing show, albeit with labels at its core”

Also, with the entry of private equity finance into the packaging sector, we are seeing more large converting groups that include labels, flexible packaging and folding carton operations.

Minnesota-based Meyers is a recent example of this. The family-owned converter has added to its folding carton capacity with the acquisition of Mankato Packaging.

Michael Dillon, chief revenue officer and co-owner of Meyers, says: ‘We’ve built a strong partnership with Mankato Packaging in recent months, and we’re excited to take this next step together. We’ve long respected their contributions to the packaging industry and see this as a great opportunity to expand the value we deliver—especially in the folding cartons space. It’s a meaningful move in our continued commitment to sustainable, high-quality packaging and long-term client partnerships.’

This is reflected in a growing visitor interest in both flexible packaging and folding cartons. At Labelexpo Europe 2023, over 25 percent of visitors registered expressed an interest in folding carton technology and 40 percent in flexible packaging. This demonstrates that Labelexpo has transformed into a package printing show, albeit with labels at its core.

Labelexpo visitors registering interest in folding cartons

Labelexpo Europe 2025 will be a ‘soft launch’ for folding cartons. By 2027, we expect folding cartons to be fully integrated into the show.

Folding Carton Master Class at Labelexpo
The Label Academy will host a half-day Master Class at Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona. The Master Class is targeted at label converters who are looking at diversifying into folding cartons using in-line flexo/rotary offset, digital or hybrid presses.

The class covers an introduction to the folding carton market, production challenges and possibilities with the in-line flexo, digital and hybrid presses; developments in materials including barrier coatings, converting technology for cutting and creasing and folder gluers. The Master Class finishes with a case study of a label converter making the transition to folding cartons on an in-line flexo press.

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Public voting opens for European Carton Excellence Awards

Piotr Wnuk — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 23:45:43 +0000

Pro Carton has launched the public voting phase for three prestigious cartonboard packaging awards, inviting consumers and industry professionals to select winners from shortlisted entries across design innovation and sustainability categories.

The European Carton Excellence Award, Pro Carton Young Designers Award and Pro Carton Student Video Award public vote opened in July 2025, with voting closing at midnight on Friday, August 23. The awards are hosted by Pro Carton, the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers, and the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA).

The European Carton Excellence Award recognizes outstanding ecological and innovative packaging design in the cartonboard industry. Thirty shortlisted designs feature work from leading cartonboard mills, converters, brand-owners and designers across Europe, all demonstrating commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

Voters can cast up to three votes per award category. The design that receives the most votes will win the 2025 Public Award.

The Pro Carton Young Designers Award and Pro Carton Student Video Award focus on promoting sustainable packaging, circularity and innovation among students across Europe. Both competitions also feature public voting during the same period.

'These three awards showcase the very best of our industry, with remarkable creativity and unwavering commitment to sustainability,' said Winfried Muehling, director of marketing and communications at Pro Carton. 'It is truly inspiring to witness the creativity and innovation emerging from across Europe. The exceptional talent demonstrated in both the Pro Carton Young Designers Award and the Pro Carton Student Video Award gives us great confidence in the future of sustainable packaging design.'

Winners for all three competitions will be announced at the official Awards Gala in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, with all finalists invited to the ceremony.

The European Carton Excellence Award 2025 receives sponsorship from Heidelberg. Van Genechten, FOLBB and Duran Dogan sponsor the Pro Carton Young Designers Award. The Pro Carton Student Video Award receives sponsorship from Metpack, Stora Enso and Kartonsan. MM Packaging and RDM Group serve as joint sponsors of the student awards.

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Public voting opens for European Carton Excellence Awards

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Pro Carton invites public participation in selecting winners across three major European cartonboard packaging awards.

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Pro Carton invites public participation in selecting winners across three major European cartonboard packaging awards.

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Beyond labels: why folding cartons are the natural next step for converters

Piotr Wnuk — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 03:10:02 +0000

Folding cartons 31 July 2025

Beyond labels: why folding cartons are the natural next step for converters

By Will Parker, senior packaging executive and Labelexpo ambassador.

Labelexpo has long been the bellwether for change in our industry. From the digital disruption of narrow web to the transformation of mid-web and flexible packaging; the show has always spotlighted where we’re headed. This year in Barcelona, that evolution turns towards folding cartons, but in truth, this isn’t a new chapter. It’s a continuation of a story already well underway.

Will Parker, senior packaging executive and Labelexpo ambassador

Across Europe and the UK, the move toward fiber-first packaging is accelerating. Brands, governments and consumers are converging on a clear goal: eliminate problematic plastics, reduce carbon emissions and drive circularity. Folding cartons, especially those produced in-line, are a powerful answer.

In-line cartons: not new — just newly relevant

Despite all the buzz, in-line carton production isn’t a new concept. For over 15 years, food-to-go packaging, particularly in the UK, has quietly evolved using in-line flexo platforms to produce folded, glued and barrier-coated or lined fiberboard trays and wraps.

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 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.

A fiber-first Europe

From the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, the policy backdrop across Europe is clear: fiber-based packaging is favored.

It’s not just legislation; consumers are increasingly driving the shift. Gen Z and millennial shoppers expect recyclable, plastic-free and mono-material formats, not only for environmental reasons but for brand credibility. This is reshaping packaging decisions in food, pharma, cosmetics and e-commerce. As brands pivot, converters who can deliver recyclable cartons quickly and efficiently stand to gain a competitive edge.

Why label converters are uniquely positioned

Label converters already have the DNA required to succeed in the folding carton space: short-run agility, in-line print expertise, embellishment workflows and increasingly, automation and MIS integration.

Platforms from Canon Edale, Gallus, Mps, Omet, Mark Andy and Bobst; suddenly the leap into cartons becomes less of a jump and more of a step sideways.

These in-line systems allow converters to print, embellish, crease, die-cut and strip cartons in a single pass, offering unmatched efficiency in short-to-mid runs. Whether it’s food-to-go trays, pharma cartons or luxury sleeves; in-line workflows reduce changeovers, cut waste and simplify logistics.

Why in-line makes ecological and economic sense

Traditional sheet-fed carton production, especially for short or variant-heavy runs, often involves multiple stages, machines, operators and logistics, all of which increase power usage, CO₂ output, and material waste.

In contrast, in-line production offers:

Lower power consumption per unit
Less overproduction (ideal for SKUs with expiry or version control)
Streamlined handling and fewer process steps
Faster time-to-market with reduced carbon footprint

This aligns perfectly with brand ESG targets, especially in regulated or premium sectors like pharmaceuticals, beauty, nutraceuticals and boutique food and drink where the packaging is part of the product’s identity.

Where the growth is happening

Markets with high SKU complexity and demand for speed are ripe for in-line carton production:

Pharma and nutraceuticals: Versioning, serialisation and compliance requirements
Beauty and skincare: Embellishment-heavy, seasonal packaging
Pet Care and wellness: Sustainable, tactile formats
Food-to-Go and QSR: Rapid turnaround, fiber-based, grease-resistant coatings
D2C and E-Commerce: Printed secondary packaging, giftable formats, low MOQs

The key across all is high complexity and low volume; a sweet spot where label-style workflows meet carton performance.

Are the legacy sheet-fed players looking to cross over...?

It’s not just label converters leaning in. Increasingly, sheet-fed carton printers are exploring in-line technology as a strategic complement to their existing offset capabilities. By shifting short-run or high-complexity jobs to in-line platforms, they can free up litho capacity for longer runs, reduce bottlenecks in embellishment and die-cutting and offer faster lead times with fewer touchpoints. In-line doesn’t replace sheet-fed; it optimizes the overall workflow, allowing converters to deliver a broader, more agile supply chain to their customers.

With brands demanding greater responsiveness, versioning and sustainability credentials, this hybrid production approach positions sheet-fed houses to grow share, reduce waste and improve margin without compromising quality.

Labelexpo 2025: where the sectors converge

Barcelona isn’t just a change of venue as much as it marks a strategic pivot. The inclusion of folding carton technology this year underscores a market that’s shifting beneath our feet. It’s not labels or cartons; it’s labels and cartons, often printed on the same press.

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Boxcraft installs iEcho cutting system for prototype production

Piotr Wnuk — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:14:42 +0000

Gurugram-based box manufacturer Boxcraft Technologies has installed an iEcho PK 0705 Plus automatic intelligent cutting system to enhance its prototype production capabilities as part of its routine facility upgrade program.

The system, supplied and installed by Packnology, features a 750 mm x 530 mm cutting area and can digitally cut diverse materials with precision. The company uses prototypes to allow clients to test and validate products before full-scale production begins.

We manufacture boxes with a focus on meeting the varied packaging needs of our clients from different sectors who are quality and accuracy conscious. Our new iECHO PK 0705 Plus is the vigor behind the making of the prototypes impressive,' said Mahipal Choudhary, CEO of Boxcraft Technologies.

Choudhary emphasized the importance of first impressions in the company's approach to prototype quality. 'As they say "First Impression is the Last Impression", we strictly follow this adage as a rule to maintain quality of our prototypes,' he noted.

The executive praised both the machine performance and Packnology's after-sales service, describing the supplier's committed team as commendable for both equipment supply and unconditional support.

Boxcraft's production facility houses versatile printing machines for box graphics and finishing equipment for digital cutting, laser engraving and routing. The iEcho PK 0705 Plus operates at maximum cutting speeds of 1,500 mm per second and features an automatic vacuum chuck, automatic lifting, feeding platform and various advanced tools.

The system can perform cutting, half-cutting, creasing and marking operations suitable for prototype and sample production. It includes universal cutting tool, creasing wheel and kiss cut tool capabilities.

'iEcho PK 0705 is a single machine for multitasking jobs. It's capable of cutting, creasing and marking. Such versatility of this intelligent digital cutting machine helps us manage the precise preparation of accurate and detailed prototypes to replicate exactly what the final products will be,' Choudhary added.

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1 month 1 week ago

Short title

Boxcraft installs iEcho cutting system for prototype production

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Folding cartons manufacturer enhances prototype capabilities with automated intelligent cutting technology from Packnology.

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Folding cartons manufacturer enhances prototype capabilities with automated intelligent cutting technology from Packnology.

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Edale to showcase CartonLine at Labelexpo Europe

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 23:56:13 +0000

Edale, a Canon company and a manufacturer of flexographic printing and converting equipment, has announced it will showcase its carton production line live at Labelexpo Europe.

As part of Canon’s stand at the exhibition, Edale will demonstrate the Edale CartonLine, highlighting its capability to combine high-quality printing, embellishment, and finishing in a single, efficient workflow.

The inclusion of carton technology at Labelexpo reflects the growing trend of label converters increasingly exploring diversification into cartons, while litho carton producers look to flexo as a way to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

By bringing a live single-pass technology to the show floor, Edale aims to demonstrate how flexo can streamline existing carton production processes by reducing high labour costs, minimising work-in-progress, and freeing up valuable factory space. This approach not only unlocks new revenue opportunities but also enables converters to operate more efficiently and competitively in a market where margins are under increasing pressure.

Lachlan Buirds, managing director at Edale, commented: ‘We are delighted to be joining our colleagues from Canon Europe on their stand at Labelexpo. The show has always been an important platform to connect with converters and showcase what’s next in print technology. We are proud to bring our CartonLine flexo press for the very first time to the show floor.

‘It’s a milestone not just for Edale but for the wider industry, demonstrating how single-pass solutions can open up new revenue streams and deliver exceptional quality. And this is just the start, we have more exciting announcements to share as we get closer to the event.’

Labelexpo Europe will take place in Barcelona in September 2025. The registration for the event is now available online.

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1 month 2 weeks ago

Short title

Edale to showcase CartonLine at Labelexpo Europe

Short summary

The inclusion of carton technology at Labelexpo reflects the growing trend of label converters increasingly exploring diversification into cartons.

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The inclusion of carton technology at Labelexpo reflects the growing trend of label converters increasingly exploring diversification into cartons.

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Europe

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Digital packaging print market forecast to reach 36.9 billion USD by 2030

Piotr Wnuk — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 03:28:58 +0000

The digital print market for packaging is set to grow significantly over the next five years, with new research forecasting the sector will reach 36.9 billion USD by 2030, up from 22.0 billion USD in 2025.

The research 'The Future of Digital Print for Packaging to 2030', published by Smithers, predicts 10.9 percent growth driven by the increasing attractiveness of inkjet technology for large-format presses designed to print cartons, corrugated and flexible packaging.

Digital printing currently holds an 18.6 percent share of the overall graphic and package/label printing market by value in 2025, according to Smithers' report.

The growth is being supported by converters developing major improvements in upstream processes including order processing, design, approval and prepress, as well as downstream finishing and logistics. More brands and retailers are taking advantage of the benefits offered by digital print production.

In the functional and industrial sector, screen printing has shown strong performance with 9.6 percent compound annual growth rate in value between 2020 and 2025. The technology's versatility and ability to accurately deposit precisely controlled volumes of complex fluids make it the preferred printing method for many applications in this sector.

Screen printing's capabilities are expected to continue driving growth through 2030, particularly in functional and industrial applications where precise fluid control remains critical.

The research highlights how both digital and screen printing technologies are finding distinct market segments where their specific advantages create competitive positioning for converters and brand owners.

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2 months ago

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Digital packaging print market forecast to reach 36.9 billion USD by 2030

Short summary

New research predicts strong growth driven by inkjet scalability and versatility for large-format applications.

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New research predicts strong growth driven by inkjet scalability and versatility for large-format applications.

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RDM Group and Ecopol launch recyclable board with PVOH barrier film

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 23:47:49 +0000

RDM Group, one of the leading producers of recycled cartonboard, has announced a partnership with Ecopol, a specialist in biodegradable and water-soluble film technologies, to develop an innovative recyclable barrier board.

The collaboration combines RDM's recycled fiber cartonboard with Ecopol's functional PVOH film, offering brands a sustainable, high-performance packaging option that can be customized to meet various application needs, including those for aroma-sensitive and food products.

According to the RDM Group, using recycled cartonboard has historically been challenging for food packaging because it becomes contaminated by food-grade mineral oil used in food processing machinery, which often finds its way into many food products. The new PVOH film-based barrier board can achieve Class A recyclability within standard fibre-recycling streams.

Ecopol's PVOH film is a transparent, water-soluble and biodegradable polymer. Its effectiveness as a barrier laminate, alongside its biodegradability, makes it a promising material to address packaging challenges, particularly for aroma-sensitive products and those requiring shelf-life extension. The film can be tailored to meet specific functional requirements, such as resistance to oxygen, grease, moisture, and mineral oils, supporting a wide range of product categories, including food products.

'By pairing our functional barrier film with RDM Group's board, we will create packaging that's not only functional but fully recyclable,' said Mauro Bonfiglio, Ecopol's vice president of sales and marketing. 'This will be a true step forward in eliminating virgin plastic waste and making sustainable approaches the new standard.'

Krzysztof Krajewski, RDM Group's chief innovation and sustainability officer, says the collaboration exemplifies the cross-industry links needed to meet the demands of the PPWR. 'Our goal is to create a more sustainable, recycling-friendly material of the future to drive increased circularity.'

RDM Group is now seeking brands and converters to develop new types of packaging using PVOH-based technology. 'We invite potential partners to start projects with us,' added Krajewski.

'Our partnership with RDM Group enables brands to adopt recyclable, functional packaging without compromising performance—paving the way for scalable circular approaches,' says Bonfiglio. 'This collaboration demonstrates the potential of circular design in fiber-based packaging.'

Posted date

2 months ago

Short title

RDM Group and Ecopol launch recyclable board with PVOH barrier film

Short summary

The partnership combines recycled carton board with biodegradable film technology to advance the circularity of packaging.

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The partnership combines recycled carton board with biodegradable film technology to advance the circularity of packaging.

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Europe

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Canon to showcase label and packaging technology at Labelexpo

Piotr Wnuk — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 23:10:38 +0000

Canon has confirmed it will be demonstrating a selection of its technologies for labels and packaging production at Labelexpo Europe 2025, including the newly developed UVgel Factory Solution for Labels and the Edale CartonLine.

The UVgel Factory Solution for Labels comprises the Colorado M-series, Fotoba Jumbo Roll JRL 17 and Colex flatbed cutting table and will show the automated roll printing and digital finishing of applications, producing kiss-cut self-adhesives and labels.

Also on display will be Edale CartonLine, a single-pass flexographic carton production line that offers multiple in-line embellishments and traditional flatbed finishing.

Canon’s forthcoming LabelStream LS2000 will be displayed virtually at the show. The water-based, 5-color (CMYK plus white) inkjet digital label press, designed for industrial-scale label printing at up to 40 m/min and with a maximum printing width of 340 mm, will be presented through a dedicated experience area featuring video content, graphical elements, samples and presentations.

'We are excited to be exhibiting at this year's Labelexpo Europe, reaffirming our commitment to the European label and packaging industry,' said Edoardo Cotichini, senior manager of marketing and innovation for labels and packaging and Canon EMEA. 'We look forward to displaying our range of innovative technologies and demonstrating how we can support converters to achieve long-term business success.'

Registration for the event is now open online.

Posted date

2 months 1 week ago

Short title

Canon to showcase label and packaging technology at Labelexpo

Short summary

Digital press manufacturer will demonstrate industrial-scale printing capabilities.

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Digital press manufacturer will demonstrate industrial-scale printing capabilities.

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Heidelberg introduces VLF folding carton sheet-fed offset press

Piotr Wnuk — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 23:44:52 +0000

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen has added the Cartonmaster CX 145 in format class 6 to its portfolio, with a specific focus on long-run folding carton printing for food, beverage and consumer packaging.

The company said the packaging sector has been growing strongly for over a decade, and this trend continues. The above-average annual growth applies to long-run folding carton printing for food, beverage, and consumer packaging, with format class 6 sheet-fed offset presses playing a key role.

‘Our new Cartonmaster CX 145 makes Heidelberg a full-range provider for folding carton printing,’ says the company’s chief technology and sales officer, Dr David Schmedding. ‘As part of our growth strategy, we are expanding our range of solutions for the packaging sector and, at the same time, plugging a gap in our portfolio.’

The Cartonmaster CX 145 is based on the Roland Evolution 900 from manroland sheet-fed, which Heidelberg is incorporating into its digital ecosystem. The press can be integrated into the Prinect workflow and the workflow of third-party suppliers. Customers can access performance data for their press in the Heidelberg Customer Portal.

Heidelberg is immediately offering the new press for order. The first customer installation of a Cartonmaster CX 145 is planned for 2026, and a global rollout will follow. Heidelberg expects the biggest demand from North America, Europe, and China.

‘Adding the Cartonmaster CX 145 to our portfolio is further proof of our credentials as a system integrator for the end-to-end production of folding cartons,’ said Jürgen Otto, CEO of Heidelberg. ‘Thanks to our excellent position in the folding carton segment, this new press, too, is expected to be highly popular with customers and generate increasing sales.’

By launching the new Cartonmaster CX 145, Heidelberg is plugging the gap between its Speedmaster portfolio and the Boardmaster. The company has integrated all these presses into its digital ecosystem, comprising equipment, Prinect software, consumables and service as well as training and consulting.

Posted date

3 months ago

Short title

Heidelberg introduces VLF folding carton sheet-fed offset press

Short summary

The new equipment launch coincides with celebrations of the 175th anniversary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen.

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The new equipment launch coincides with celebrations of the 175th anniversary of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen.

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Europe

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HEIDELBERG

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Folding carton and flexpack enter Labelexpo

Andy Thomas

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Folding cartons come to Labelexpo Europe

Andy Thomas

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Public voting opens for European Carton Excellence Awards

Beyond labels: why folding cartons are the natural next step for converters

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Boxcraft installs iEcho cutting system for prototype production

Edale to showcase CartonLine at Labelexpo Europe

Digital packaging print market forecast to reach 36.9 billion USD by 2030

RDM Group and Ecopol launch recyclable board with PVOH barrier film

Canon to showcase label and packaging technology at Labelexpo

Heidelberg introduces VLF folding carton sheet-fed offset press