Regulars / The Andy Thomas-Emans column | 21Andy Thomas-Emans column Sustainability and automation join forces at LabelexpoAs Labelexpo Europe 2023 approaches, suppliers are revealing the new technologies on show. Most have to do with automation and sustainability, Andy Thomas-Emans writesn the run-up to the frst Labelexpo of die-cut labels? Maybe it will be the “Mid-web fexo and Europe show for four years, it has been ‘challenger’ brands who take up the fascinating to attend supplier pre-show technology as part of their overall drive Idigital presses can press conferences and learn about what to use sustainability as a unique selling they will be showing in Brussels and about proposition.produce short runs of their strategies going forward. With a greater focus than ever on fexible Two themes stand out: automation and packaging at this Labelexpo, fex pack fexible packaging with sustainability. sustainability comes under the spotlight. far less waste than Sustainability and automation are, in Label converters diversifying into fex fact, closely linked. Making label converters pack have been quick to point out that on wide web CI and more sustainable is not just a question mid-web fexo and digital presses can of conserving energy and cutting waste produce short runs of fexible packaging gravure presses”in the production process. It is also about with far less waste than on wide web CI maintaining a sustainable workforce at and gravure presses. And on the materials a time when attracting young recruits to loading and ejection of dies. This, in turn, side, we will see the launch of fully the industry is becoming more and more greatly reduces the need for heavy tooling recyclable mono-material plastic stand-up diffcult. and the associated manual labor. pouches along with a clear trend toward Automation technology, increasingly Many other striking sustainability mono-material paper pouches. Xeikon and powered by AI-driven machine learning, initiatives are being launched at Labelexpo Screen both introduce presses targeted at allows semi-skilled and skilled labor to 2023. this latter application. be replaced, leading directly to a more Linerless is a technology that has long And looking at label material sustainable and proftable business. This been confned in commercial production sustainability trends, we see a pivot away does not mean a threat to the existing to industrial and VIP labeling applications, from biodegradable and compostable workforce. Automation creates new and where square/rectangular cut labels are materials toward those that ‘enable’ a truly different roles further up the value chain. standard and there is a solid installed base circular economy. This is most noticeable Automation directly impacts of linerless application machinery. in adhesives that separate the label cleanly sustainability in other ways – most But cracking linerless in the prime label from glass and plastic containers, enabling obviously in waste reduction. market has proved a bigger challenge. the recovery of clean PET and allowing glass One example would be the automated Brands have been reluctant to give up the bottles to be cleaned, relabeled, reflled, uploading of job information directly from a ability to die-cut labels, and reluctant and back around the loop. Visitors will also management information system to set up also to change out their highly effcient note a trend to use more post-consumer a press or fnishing/inspection equipment. automated PS label applicators. waste in label constructions, helping create This replaces manual double-keying of Now Avery Dennison and Bobst have the economic underpinnings of the circular job data, which is not only laborious and announced the launch at Labelexpo Europe economy. non-value adding but is also likely to lead 2023 a linerless system which involves The special Labelexpo Europe 2023 to entry errors, which ultimately results in printing on a standard laminate (so no show features will allow visitors to explore waste. change in the label converter’s printing each of these themes in more detail. Extended color gamut printing (ECG) workfow), then delaminating the face These include the Automation Arena, in fexo allows pre-press automation of material, which is microperforated, slit ECG workshop, Flexible Packaging Trail the color management process, with no and surface coated with silicone all in a and masterclasses on fexible packaging more manual color matching on press. But single machine pass. The backing liner is and sustainability. In addition, make sure ECG also cuts down waste, both because recovered and sent back to Avery Dennison you continue to follow Labels & Labeling print units do not have to be washed down for recycling. online as we report new sustainability and between jobs, and because there is no Avery Dennison has worked with automation technology launched closer to leftover ink from mixing solid colors. Harlands on the applicator side, so this the show. Automation is also impacting the forms a complete ecosystem. Will this converting end of the press, as we see fnally convince brand owners that the For a detailed A-Z preview a continuing move toward high-speed sustainability benefts of prime linerless of Labelexpo Europe 2023, semi-rotary die cutting allowing automated labeling outweigh the marketing benefts turn to page 100Jul - Sep 2023