FINAT ELF 2026 signals shift from recovery to strategic repositioning

The FINAT European Label Forum (ELF) 2026, held May 27–29 in Seville, brought together 254 delegates from 23 countries, highlighting a label industry transitioning from post-crisis recovery to a phase of strategic repositioning. Attendance rose 6% year-over-year, with converter participation up 10%, alongside 35 suppliers exhibiting across the value chain.

A central theme throughout the event was that future growth will depend less on volume alone and more on agility, resilience, innovation, and collaboration. Industry leaders emphasized that converters and suppliers must adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by geopolitical pressures, regulatory demands, and shifting customer expectations.

Market data presented by FINAT showed European self-adhesive labelstock consumption reached 7.37 billion m² in 2025, up 2% year-over-year but still largely in line with pre-pandemic levels. While paper remains the dominant substrate, growth continues to favor filmic materials, reflecting ongoing shifts in application requirements and performance demands.

Economic and geopolitical factors were also front and center. Ilke Toygür of IE University described the current environment as a structural transformation rather than a temporary disruption, with business strategies increasingly influenced by energy, trade, and security considerations.

From a market perspective, insights from FINAT RADAR and AWA pointed to cautious business conditions, with converter revenues in early 2026 largely flat or slightly down. At the same time, converters are prioritizing investment in finishing equipment and targeting adjacent growth areas such as flexible packaging. Digitalization and automation emerged as the most critical success factors for the next three years.

Brand owner expectations are also evolving. Labels are no longer evaluated solely on cost and performance, but increasingly on sustainability, recyclability, compliance, and consumer engagement, creating opportunities for converters to move upstream as strategic partners.

Sustainability and regulation — particularly around PPWR — were highlighted as core business requirements rather than optional initiatives. Discussions underscored the need for converters to balance compliance, cost, and material choices while clearly communicating value to customers.

Artificial intelligence was another key theme, with discussions shifting from theory to practical implementation across workflows, including estimating, prepress, customer service, and production support. While AI will not replace human decision-making, speakers stressed that companies integrating it effectively will gain operational advantages.

Looking ahead to 2030, industry leaders identified skills, workforce development, and digital readiness as critical differentiators. While technology is increasingly accessible, success will depend on companies’ ability to manage change, improve data quality, and build teams capable of leveraging digital tools.

“ELF is much more than a conference,” says Jules Lejeune, managing director of FINAT. “It is where industry leaders come together to challenge assumptions, exchange perspectives, and build the relationships that drive our industry forward.”

FINAT will host the next European Label Forum in Warsaw, Poland, May 19–21, 2027.