Li honored with Chinese achievement award

Dagang Li has been awarded the Chinese label industry’s highest accolade, the Achievement Award, at Labelexpo Asia 2025.

This award was established to celebrate individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry, serving as benchmarks for innovation and catalysts for broader industry growth. The judging panel recognized Li’s contributions to the development of China’s self-adhesive label industry. His 32-year career has established him as a role model admired by his peers.

The awards ceremony, held on the second day of the exhibition and attended by over 300 professionals from the label and package printing sector, was a key highlight of Labelexpo Asia 2025.

Pioneering China’s label industry

Li’s career is deeply intertwined with the evolution of China’s self-adhesive label industry. He entered the field in the early 1990s and played a pivotal role in the Boston Consulting Group’s 1993-94 research project on China’s self-adhesive
label industry. This project laid the groundwork for the official recognition of the label industry in the country.

From 1994 to 2014, Li held key leadership roles at Avery Dennison, including vice president and general manager of Greater China and vice president of strategy for Asia Pacific.
His 20-year tenure set a benchmark for professional management in China’s foreign-invested enterprises. Since 2014, he has served as group vice president at CCL Industry China, driving company growth and technical development.

Contributions to development

Dagang Li’s career reflects the gradual opening and rapid technical development of China’s label industry. Over three
decades, he has made extraordinary contributions through his leadership, innovation and commitment to talent development. At Avery Dennison, he integrated world-class technologies
with local market needs, leading to significant business growth in China. He also spearheaded the localization of management teams and raw materials, such as glassine liners and adhesives, while advancing film and paper face-stock technologies to build a robust local supply chain.

“Dagang Li perfectly defines the concept of industry influencer”

Under his leadership, the Avery Dennison Label Innovation & Application Academy (LIAA) was established in 2000, serving
as a vital bridge between the Chinese label industry and cutting-edge global technologies. After joining CCL Label China, Li continued to introduce advanced international technologies and innovative products in self-adhesive labels, RFID and other areas, elevating CCL Label China to a top-tier industry supplier and advancing technological standards across the sector.

Talent development

Li has been instrumental in cultivating local talent, a cornerstone of sustainable industry growth. At both Avery Dennison and CCL Label China, he trained and nurtured management and technical professionals in areas such as lean production and business marketing. Many of these individuals now hold key positions across China’s label industry, contributing to its vitality and growth. Li’s mentorship
has earned him widespread respect as an industry leader.

Recognition of excellence

The jury commended Li’s contributions, stating: ‘With the courage of a pioneer, the foresight of a strategist, and the generosity of a mentor, Dagang Li perfectly defines the concept of industry influencer. His 32 years of unremitting dedication have not only established benchmark enterprises but also promoted industrial development and talent cultivation, laying a solid foundation for the prosperity and development of China’s label industry. He is truly worthy of
this honor.’

Li’s achievements exemplify the pioneering spirit and strategic vision that have driven the growth and success of China’s label industry. His legacy continues to inspire innovation, collaboration and excellence across the sector.

China Label Awards

Alongside Li’s recognition, winners of the Label Industry China Awards 2025 were unveiled at the event. The awards celebrate exceptional achievements in innovation, sustainability, media impact and industry leadership.

Organized by Labels & Labeling, the awards recognized excellence across five categories: achievement, innovation,
sustainability, media impact and Converter of the Year.

Innovation award

The Innovation award, sponsored by Hanlabel, honors companies that have achieved groundbreaking advancements
in product development or production processes. This year’s winners are:

• Cymmetrik Group for its EcoStrip water-activated peelable coating
• Avery Dennison for rCrush Barley FSC labelstock
• Hybrid Software Helix for SmartDFE software components

Converter of the Year

This award, sponsored by Caisheng and Hongsheng, acknowledges leading enterprises in the printing industry that excel in innovation-driven growth, sustainable practices and employee development. The winners are:

• Jiangtian
• BSN Group
• Sunway
• Wellking
• AP Label
• Maxim Group

Media impact

Recognizing individuals or organizations with significant influence on new media platforms such as WeChat VChannel,
TikTok and Kuaishou. The winners are:

• CPP114 Printing & Packaging Network
• Guan Guoping of Packaging Zone
• Xiaohumei
• Yumaxian
• Jiangsu Kaitun

Sustainability

The sustainability award, sponsored by Avery Dennison (China), highlights innovative initiatives that reduce environmental impact and enhance resource efficiency. This year’s winners are:

• Cymmetrik Jiangsu
• Weigang

HP China and Reborn sponsored the gifts distributed during the ceremony.

Judges’ comments

The awards were judged by a panel of industry experts, chaired by Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director of the labels and packaging group at Loupe Global. Other jury members included Xu Wencai, Yin Jinhua, Wang Yang, Emily Xiao, Rocky Sun, Jacky Yang, Wang Benhong and Yolanda Wang. Special jury members for the Converter of the Year award were Apple Su and Tu Shengwen.

Commenting on the awards, Andy Thomas-Emans stated: ‘The overall standard of this year’s Label Industry China Awards was impressive. We have witnessed industry-leading innovation, a strong commitment to sustainable technology
and world-class label converting companies. The judging process was highly competitive, reflecting the professional
expertise of our jury members.’

Jade Grace, managing director of Loupe Global, congratulated the winners and thanked the sponsors for their support in driving innovation.

Kevin Liu, group director for China, emphasized the industry’s rapid pace of innovation and transformation, stating: ‘The winning enterprises represent the best of this dynamic industry. Their achievements set benchmarks that will inspire others to deepen innovation and collaborate to advance the modernization of China’s label industry.’

“The winning enterprises represent the best of this dynamic industry”

The Label Industry China Awards 2025 serve as a testament to the remarkable progress and innovation within the sector,
showcasing the dedication of enterprises and individuals to excellence and sustainable development.

Labelexpo Asia 2025 reports visitor growth

Labelexpo Asia 2025 closed its latest edition, reporting 14 percent visitor growth, with over 30,560 visitors from 114 countries. The show occupied 40,000 sqm at the Shanghai New International Expo Center in December 2025.

Labelexpo Asia 2025 was elevated by a series of new initiatives designed to connect and promote business growth, innovation and sustainability. Attendees experienced cutting-edge technology through the Smart Label Trail and Digital Pouch Factory, engaged with a comprehensive educational program featuring expert seminars and masterclasses, celebrated excellence at the Label Industry China Awards, and maximized business connections in the new Global Connect Hub, a dedicated VIP zone designed for international buyers.

With over 450 exhibitors on the show floor, Labelexpo Asia 2025 delivered on innovation and business opportunities.

Kevin Liu, group director, China, explained: ‘The Asia-Pacific labels and package printing market continues to demonstrate remarkable growth and relevance, driven by the region’s dynamic economic expansion and increasing demand for innovative and sustainable solutions. Labelexpo Asia 2025 has once again proven to be a vital platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and fostering meaningful connections across the industry. The event not only highlights the strength of the Chinese market but also underscores its critical role in shaping the future of global label and package printing.’

In addition to demonstrating sustainable label technology on the show floor, Labelexpo Asia 2025 launched its own sustainability initiatives, such as dedicated recycling bins for a range of materials and substances, including ink waste from exhibitors.

Another important initiative is ensuring the recycling of all show floor carpets, with a total of 19,558 sqm saved from landfill.

The increased use of LED screens for signage across the show further enhanced sustainability credentials, combined with the recycling of all physical show signage.

Jade Grace, managing director of Loupe Global, commented on the success of the event and its future: ‘Labelexpo Asia 2025 has been an extraordinary success, reaffirming its position as the largest and most influential event for the labels and package printing industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Our objective continues to be to evolve and ensure our platforms foster meaningful connections to promote business growth, innovation and sustainability. The overwhelming response from exhibitors and visitors, coupled with the innovative features introduced this year, such as the Global Connect Hub, has set a new benchmark for the event. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue evolving and expanding the show under the Loupe Asia brand in 2027, ensuring it remains the premier destination for innovation, collaboration, and business growth in this thriving market.’