Regulars / Andy Thomas-Emans column | 27Andy Thomas-Emans column Labelexpo lessonsLabelexpo Americas fnally gave us a chance to see the new technology developed over the last three years. Andy Thomas-Emans looks at the key trendst was a fantastic experience to be back “I am convinced that fexo will be back with a at a physical Labelexpo for the frst time Iin three years. After the excitement of bang at Labelexpo Europe next year. And it will the show, what have we learned about the future direction of the labels industry?be all about automation and the total cost of Firstly – is fexo dead? There were no fexo presses at the show, even from ownership. Some very exciting developments champions of the technology like Mark are on the horizon. In the meantime, digital Andy, which had three digital/hybrid machines on stand, including the global technology had Labelexpo Americas to itself – launch of its 5-color (CMYK+W) DMax Pro press. Gallus, Omet and MPS had stands and digital OEMs took full advantage of the fact”but no presses and Gallus was mainly promoting its GallusONE standalone UV inkjet press. embellishment was a key theme of the shrink sleeve surface in recycling systems. Interestingly, visitors certainly were show and point to the future. This demonstrates a trend towards label interested in fexo, and fexo sales were Particularly interesting from a digital systems that promote the recovery of actually made at the show. And after embellishment point of view was JetFX’s clean PET waste without contamination conversations with suppliers at Labelexpo 30in-wide (762mm) print bar, which from inks or adhesives. The label thus and in visits after the show – most recently operates at 100m/minute using both EB becomes a positive enabler of the circular to Nilpeter –this writer is convinced that and UV inks. JetFX was showing examples materials economy. fexo will be back with a bang at Labelexpo of embellishments on pouches and shrink S-OneLP was awarded for its ReEarth Europe next year. And it will be all about sleeves as well as PS labels. compostable prelaminated fexible automation and the total cost of ownership. This opens another route for converters packaging flm. Some very exciting developments are on to add digital embellishment to existing or Xeikon was also keen to hitch its star to the horizon. new mid-web fexo presses. the sustainability wagon with the launch of In the meantime, digital technology had Colordyne also produces modules that its Titon toner, which contributes to a move the show to itself – and digital OEMs took give fexo presses a digital hybrid capability. towards paper-based fexible packaging as full advantage of the fact. The worldwide The company was demonstrating a very a substitute for multi-layer plastics. Titon launch by HP Indigo of its much-anticipated promising water-based inkjet module toners incorporate additional protective V12 press delivered the goods, producing capable of jetting onto nonporous materials layers for heat, sunlight, water, scratch and high-quality fully variable print at 120m/ using pigmented WB inks developed by Kao. scuff resistance and are safe for both direct min (394ft/min). Durst meanwhile showed Practical approaches to sustainability and indirect food contact. its RSCi UV inkjet press printing at 100m/ were another key theme of the show, TLMI’s Eco Stage featured a range of min (328 ft/min). These presses are fully with sustainability-based technologies interesting speakers on sustainability. able to match the speed and productivity dominating the Global Label Award Perhaps the most interesting was on of fexography – a major milestone in the categories. Actega won an award for its gasifcation technology, which promises progress of digital print. Signite technology that allows a decorated to allow the recovery of methanol – the Both presses were shown printing label, including adhesive, to be printed precursor for plastics production – from roll-to-roll. High-speed fnishing systems onto a backing liner and applied to a mixed packaging waste. will initially be near-line. However, we glass container, eliminating the need for These are some of the key trends learned that high-speed in-line fnishing die-cutting or even a face material. It was evident at this exciting show, and you systems with extensive automation are demonstrated on the company’s stand can read about each technology in more under development by ABG and these will along with its award-nominated Ecoleaf detail throughout this edition of Labels & again move the digital story forward. digital foiling technology, which uses a Labeling. Now we can start looking forward What ‘lights out’ automation might look donor roll and printed target to eliminate to Labelexpo Europe 2023. like on a fnishing line was demonstrated tooling in foiling applications. by Cartes and Prati, combining inkjet Flint Group won an award for its Turn to page 98 to read a full review varnishing, digital foiling and laser Evolution de-inking primer, which allows of Labelexpo Americas 2022die-cutting. Indeed, the advance of digital UV fexo ink to delaminate from a PET Oct - Dec 2022