Labelexpo, the bi-annual exhibition for label printers, is eyeing expansion into carton printing. The show, moving to Barcelona for the first time this year, has already already diversified into flexible packaging, specifically for pouch production using narrow and mid web presses. This provides the template for its expansion into folding cartons.
A number of traditional Labelexpo exhibitors have already added carton production capability: HP Indigo, Canon Edale, Mark Andy, Xeikon and Gallus among them. These are largely cartons produced on web presses rather than those from traditional sheetfed litho press suppliers like Heidelberg, Koenig & Bauer or Komori which are printing the vast majority of cartons on sheetfed presses. They can also print labels for wet glue application which is not featured at Labelexpo.
Canon subsidiary Edale is bringing its FL5 flexo carton press to Barcelona while Actega will show barrier coating technology. The likes of Canon as well as HP are developing digital presses able to print cartons.
The organisers of the show are working with Brunton Publications to appeal to the carton sector. while the impact will be minimal on the 2025 show opening in September, the target is to have a substantial presence at the event in two years time. There is confidence it will work, not least because there is a feeling that the sector is poorly served by Drupa, which continues to have a commercial print focus. There is no exhibition dedicated to carton production, though flexo and corrugated sectors do have events.
The growth of multinational label print groups, fuelled by private equity, is starting to include carton print capability as a means to become single source providers to brands. The same shift is starting to happen in carton printing.
The need for sustainability is common across both parts of the packaging sector, with tackling legislation and the use of fibre based substrates as common to both.
Just as the show introduced flexible packaging with a showcase area and specialist educational content, this will happen with cartons starting with a half day masterclass.
