Momentum is building for the 40th anniversary edition of Labelexpo Europe 2019, with just three weeks to go until the show opens its doors in Brussels, Belgium. With over 600 exhibitors taking part in the biggest label and package printing event in the world between September 24-27, this edition of the show is set to be its largest to date.
                      
Over 200 of the exhibitors are new this year and will be displaying their latest products to an international buyer audience of printers, suppliers, brand owners and designers. This includes Canon, whose Océ LabelStream 4000 series UV inkjet press is making its show debut, and Memjet, who is unveiling their third-generation printing technology, which features new print widths and a long-life 4-color printhead. Other newcomers include GMG, Lambda Technology, Shanghai Spande Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd, and Siltech Ltd.

Reflecting the size of the show, Labelexpo Europe 2019 is also set to present the largest offering of technologies and live demonstrations seen to date, with an increasing number of product launches for the fast growing areas of hybrid printing, flexible packaging and automation. This includes: Bobst, who is unveiling a new hybrid flexo press; and MPS, who is launching a new 17”/430mm edition of the hybrid EF Symjet press. This is presented for the first time with an exclusive Domino digital N617i inkjet printer, in a wider 17”/430mm width. Mark Andy is unveiling a new entry- to mid-level digital hybrid press, which will be demonstrated live at the show with advanced inline converting.

Flexible packaging machinery launches come from exhibitors including Omet, with its new X7. This is a flexo printing machine for labels and flexible packaging with 670mm (26”) web width and the latest in their XFlex line. Lombardi is unveiling its Invicta i2 line, designed for flexible packaging in the mid web sector.

Other press launches include Gallus, who is unveiling its Digital Printbar digital embellishing unit designed specifically for opaque white and using inkjet-based digital print technology. Konica Minolta is premiering their recently launched AccurioLabel 230, a new version of its digital toner press, while Nilpeter is launching its 17” wide FA-Line press featuring cold foil, lamination and their new high-speed semi-rotary diecutting unit. Grafotronic is showcasing seven new models out of a total eleven machines presented at the show, of which four are new fully modular digital finishing machines. Dantex, meanwhile, is highlighting two versions of its PicoJet inkjet press. These digital UV inkjet presses have printing capabilities of 350mm width and 75m/m (250 fpm), with 600 DPI at 2.5pl dot size.

CERM, Esko, Sistrade, Gutenberg and CADlink Technology are among the companies presenting their latest digital management information software for automation.

Lisa Milburn, managing director of Labelexpo Global Series, says, “We are very much looking forward to the 40th anniversary edition of Labelexpo Europe, set to be our largest show to date. Exhibitor participation this year has been truly incredible, not only in the number of returning companies, but also the newcomers joining us for the first time. It is astonishing to think that at the first show there were just 44 exhibitors – proof of how far the industry has grown in the last four decades.”

Jan Eisby, chief sales officer, Vetaphone  – which is exhibiting four machines – adds, “You’ll not get a better opportunity to make direct comparisons in technology in one location until Labelexpo returns to Brussels in 2021. It’s more than 20 years since we first exhibited at Labelexpo Europe and have been privileged to see how the industry has grown and thrived in the intervening years. We’ve seen flexo become a high-quality process, the launch and development of digital technology, and most recently the arrival of hybrids.”

Show visitors will also have an exclusive opportunity to see two press lines in action at the show’s main feature, the Flexible Packaging Arena. A Xeikon CX500 (digital) and a Bobst M6 (UV Flexo) will be producing indirect food contact flexible packaging to the latest GMP standards, and live demonstrations will be taking place throughout the four days of the show. In addition, HP Indigo will be offering live demonstrations of digital pouch making showcasing the HP Indigo 20000 digital press, Pack Ready Lamination, and the Karlville pouch-making machine making its show debut on their stand. Other HP innovations at the show include HP Indigo 8000 digital press, which will run inline with the ABG Fast Track die, and the best-selling HP Indigo 6900 digital press, which can be seen in action showcasing an integrated Kurz DM-Jetliner finishing module.

Materials, inks and finishing manufacturers will be especially well represented, with product launches from companies including: Pulse Roll Label Products, who are unveiling the next evolution of UV flexo printing inks; S-OneLP, who are launching their Sustainable ByDesign portfolio of solutions for recyclable and compostable flexible packaging; AstroNova TrojanLabel will premier two new products, the T2-L narrow-format water-based inkjet press with added laminating capabilities, and the T3-OPX next-generation overprinting solution which can print directly onto a wide range of surfaces.