Label Industry Global Awards 2023 | 87 The awards recognize organizations and individuals who have excelled in the label and package printing sector through innovation and personal example. Cartes pictured here The 18th edition of the Label Industry Global Awards winners were announced on the frst evening of Labelexpo Europe 2023“THESE LAST FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN HECTIC FOR THE LABEL INDUSTRY, SO TO GET SUCH AN AWARD IS AMAZING”industry, so to get such an award is amazing. I have made my work to the promotion and growth of the label industry and has been a into my hobby, and I think the label industry appreciates that so high-profle industry infuencer and motivator. that is where the dedication comes from and that’s what the award According to the Label Awards judging panel: ‘Malcolm Rae is a is for.’ worthy winner of the Global Achievement Award. This recognizes The Sustainability Award went to UPM Rafatac, for its Ocean his unique contribution, through GEW, the company he founded, Action Label, made from ocean-bound plastic, which is a major to the narrow web industry’s transition to UV curing and to the step towards creating a real commercial market for plastic waste. subsequent technological development of the UV curing industry.’ UPM Rafatac’s Ocean Action label, made from ocean-bound Rae comments: ‘The award means a lot to me! Thirty-two years plastic, is a major step towards creating a real commercial market of doing anything is a long time and 30 years is widely regarded for plastic waste which would otherwise be clogging up the world’s as a generation and I have been in the business for a generation. oceans. This took real commitment on UPM Rafatac’s part, I feel deeply honored that I should have been selected when I am involving pulling together a global chain of partners including a sure there are equally worthy people out there, but I gave it my Malaysian-based plastic recycling company; SABIC which uses the best shot. chemical recycled pyrolysis oil to create high-quality PP plastic ‘I think the main reason [for winning the award] is that our granulates; and Taghleef Industries which produces the label flm product is everywhere. Wherever there is a printing machine used to produce the fnal label material by UPM Rafatac. The there is UV and more often than not it is our UV. That is not a Ocean Action label material has the same performance as the coincidence because we have developed, priced and made the current fossil-based labels. product that can sold at that price and be ubiquitous.’The Converter of the Year Award was won by Baker Labels. The Andy Thomas-Emans, chair of the judging panel says: ‘We have judges were impressed with the culture of the company which been very impressed by the high quality of entries received for encourages among its 112 staff a passion for continuous learning, this year’s Label Industry Global Awards. I would like to thank inclusivity and an active participation in a wide range of charitable everybody who submitted nominations and on behalf of the and local community initiatives. judging panel, I would like to congratulate all the winners and Bakers is a worthy winner of the Converter of the Year award. fnalists. The full range of innovation, team energy and powerful Celebrating its 50th year of business, this is an excellent example sustainability initiatives shone through during the judging process.’of a vibrant and successful family-owned and run business, now Jade Grace, managing director, Labelexpo Global Series seeing its third generation entering management positions. comments: ‘I would like to congratulate all of this year’s Label In terms of customer satisfaction Bakers has continuously Industry Global Awards fnalists and winners. I would also like to innovated, moving early into digital print and materials coating thank our sponsors – Gallus, Bobst, Durst, GEW, Flint Group and and most recently setting up a digital fexible packaging operation Labels & Labeling magazine – for their support in making these including pouch making, becoming a truly one-stop shop for its awards possible and supporting innovation in our industry.’industry partners. The fnal award, the prestigious Global Achievement Award, For more on rising start Tom Schouten and his company, went to GEW founder Malcolm Rae. The Global Achievement Geostick, turn to page 31Award recognizes an individual who has made a key contribution Oct - Dec 2023