Some of the newest developments in active and intelligent labels and packaging will be showcased at Labelexpo Americas' brand new feature area Smart Mart next week. Exploring the latest advances in substrates, inks, digital systems and printing, show attendees will see solutions such as augmented reality, QR codes and scanners, RFID and NFC-enabled smart tags, temperature indicating packaging and films that prevent food spoilage.

by FINAT

Delivering a 'label' is not just a matter of printing it. It involves a complex value chain that also spans the material to be printed and the machinery to apply it – whatever the technology employed. The 'battle of decoration technologies' was the focus for an expert panel of suppliers who came together at the annual congress of the label industry's international association, FINAT, to debate the challenges and opportunities. Their discussions provided valuable insights that set the context for improved communication between brand-owning end users and their 'label' suppliers – including printers.

Printed packaging production will be high on the agenda for converters attending this year's Labelexpo Americas with the show's introduction of the Package Printing Workshop. Being run in partnership with Delta Industrial and Xeikon, the educational workshop will highlight how label printers can diversify and grow their business.

Labelexpo Americas 2014 will again feature a two-day conference program as it returns to Rosemont in September. This year's conference includes leading figures from the label and package printing sector who will debate a host of themes including design and branding, new technologies and industry trends; as well as impart strategic insight into how label converters can embrace the challenges they face in their business.

Four letters symbolize the success of Orbo Labels in Belgium: LPDE. They stand for low-density polyethylene. LDPE foil feels softer and thicker and has lower density than traditional foils made from HDPE (high density polyethylene). In addition, it barely rustles. Thanks to these specific qualities, it is ideally suited to the packaging of frozen foods.

MAXStick Products Ltd., an industry leading supplier of liner-free, removable adhesive, label products is proud to announce the certification of MAXStick Liner-Free Labels on the BIXOLON SPP-R200II Mobile Printer.

Two upcoming one-day seminars organised by AWA Conferences and Events will be of particular interest to suppliers within the pressure-sensitive materials value chain. The AWA Label Release Liner Industry Seminar and the AWA Adhesive Technology Seminar both take place at the Hyatt Rosemont Hotel, Chicago, on September 8th – just prior to Labelexpo Americas 2014.

Given the promising development of China's label printing industry plus having the convenience of locating at the South China's region, Sino-Label has risen to become the region's largest and a must-attend tradeshow focusing on label printing in China. With eight years of continuous effort Sino-Label has evolved into an in-depth international platform that is widely acclaimed among exhibitors and visitors

Labelexpo Americas 2014 will feature the Inkjet Trail for the first time. Being held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Chicago between 9 – 11 September, the Inkjet Trail will put four of the leading inkjet press manufacturers in the limelight as they use their respective technologies to each produce otherwise identical label designs.

A new e-learning initiative for the label community

In today's knowledge based economy, education and competence management are key to the future success of any business, and the label industry is no exception. This applies to all levels and functions in the company, from management to operations. At the end of 2012, the FINAT Board endorsed a new initiative designed to align education and training programmes for operators in the label industry. Two years later, the Label Academy is ready for take-off.

Registration is now open for the seventh edition of Labelexpo India. South Asia's premier label and package printing exhibition, it returns to Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 29 October – 1 November and will be bigger than ever before.

At its recent congress in Monaco, FINAT presented the annual 360° tour of the label industry, looking at underlying forces for the industry as a whole and for the association. Jules Lejeune, managing director of FINAT, reported on the labelstock statistics for 2013 and introduced the first findings of the new FINAT RADAR regular report and analysis of the European narrow-web market.