Labelexpo returns to Barcelona from the 16th to the 19th of September 2025, and Packaging Europe will be covering the key moments.
In this article, we’ll keep you up to date with everything you need to know about the event: news, commentary, interviews, and the best things to see across all four days.
All you need to know
Labelexpo Europe 2025 is opening its doors at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona on September 16th. For the industry following its 45-year history, this edition will mark an important milestone, celebrating the show’s expansion to embrace all the aspects of label production and outer packaging embellishment.
The Barcelona show accommodates more than 650 exhibitors, and brings a “festival atmosphere” highlighting innovation, education, sustainability, and community. See what to expect from the show:
Technology
Expect to see press technology across conventional, digital and hybrid configurations, along with tighter integration with digital workflows.
Highlights at the show include new developments in flexography, hybrid presses rotary and semi-rotary offset, flexible packaging, folding cartons, and digital press technology.
Organizers anticipate major advances in machine automation on the show floor and a range of technology options capable of transforming the future direction of converting business operations with automation and the ongoing incorporation of AI. “Labelexpo has always been the definitive platform where the latest industry breakthroughs have been showcased. As we approach the next edition, we’re seeing sustainability and automation join forces as the primary drivers of innovation. Automation technology, increasingly powered by AI-driven machine learning, is transforming production while positively impacting sustainability”, commented Andy Thomas-Emans, Strategic Director, Labelexpo Global Series.
Education
New to Labelexpo, The Pulse Arena, provides a stage on the show floor for education and networking, addressing the industry’s current pressing challenges with daily presentations from leading industry experts. The program will focus on sustainability, with an emphasis on PPWR, diversification opportunities into flexible packaging and folding cartons, and the future of AI and automation.
The Label Academy will deliver specialized master classes on “Folding Cartons for Label Converters” and “RFID Technology,” providing in-depth knowledge on these fast-growing segments.
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of this year’s show. In addition to a range of exhibitors showcasing sustainable materials and technology, the show has invested on a dedicated educational program at The Pulse Arena. Highlights include a keynote session with sustainability thought leader Dr. Leyla Acaroglu challenging the boundaries between design, business, and innovation.
The show itself demonstrates enhanced sustainability credentials. Some of the actions include the Better Stands initiative, developed by parent company Informa Group PLC, incentivising exhibitors to utilize recyclable materials to build stands. Earlier in the year, Labelexpo Europe 2025 announced an exclusive partnership with DMP Europe to divert printed materials away from landfill by transforming label matrix waste generated at the show into reusable items such as industrial bumpers and pallets.
“Sustainability isn’t just a feature of Labelexpo Europe 2025. From exhibitors’ showcase of sustainable materials and technologies to dedicated educational sessions, the show creates meaningful conversations about the future of our industry. I’m particularly proud of the operational commitments through initiatives like Better Stands and the partnership with DMP Europe, both of which transform what would be waste into valuable resources. These efforts represent Labelexpo Europe 2025’s vision for a truly circular label and the wider outer packaging embellishment industry, where innovation and environmental responsibility work hand in hand.” said Jade Grace, Managing Director, Labelexpo Global Series.
Community
Labelexpo Europe 2025 offers numerous opportunities for the industry to connect and celebrate. Events include a pre-show industry run on the 15th September, Festa Barcelona on the evening of the 16th September, including the inaugural Labels & Labeling Global Awards, and a dedicated Girls Who Print event.
Another element of this year’s show was the appointment of prominent industry experts, the Labelexpo ambassadors, who will deliver keynote, Q&A and meet & greet sessions covering folding cartons, flexible packaging, materials, sustainability, and AI & automation.
“The community spirit at Labelexpo Europe 2025 goes beyond business—it’s about creating enduring connections that drive our industry forward. The show remains the space where businesses expand and deals are made, in addition to providing a fertile environment to grow connections that matter,” said Andrew Galloway, Group Director EMEA, Labelexpo Global Series.
Special exhibitor features
The Label Trail, developed by industry leaders Avery Dennison, CERM, CarbonQuota, Esko, Grafisk Maskinfabrik, KURZ, SCRIBOS, and Xeikon, will provide an end-to-end exploration of modern label production, focusing on carbon measurement, sustainability, and smart packaging solutions.
Additionally, ETI, Martin Automatic, Lundberg Tech, and LemuGroup are collaborating to showcase a fully operational automated production line running live, producing real labels for European converter Mirmar.
Things to see
Siegwerk showcases its latest ink and coating developments
Besides highlighting some of its latest ink and coating developments for labels and packaging printing at booth 3G77, the company is also giving insights into how its solutions can boost efficiency and recyclability, helping to meet the latest packaging trends.
With its newest generations of SICURA Nutriflex 10, a UV flexo ink series, and SICURA Nutriflex LEDTec, a dual-cure system that can be cured with either LED or UV mercury lamps, Siegwerk will introduce two series that now also enable the printing of primary food packaging according to the German Ink Ordinance (GIO), which comes into effect on January 1, 2026. The new regulation aims to improve consumer health protection and is more comprehensive and restrictive than existing regulations. With SICURA Flex Dual Cure, Siegwerk will also showcase a dual-cure system suitable for non-food applications as well as food packaging where processing conditions preclude the possibility of set-off and the final printed packaging ensures reliable functional barrier properties against migration.
The company has been developing UV and LED UV-curing solutions for decades and offers a broad portfolio of state-of-the-art inks and coatings that are continuously optimized to meet changing market requirements, such as new raw materials and the increasing performance of LED UV lamps. With energy savings of up to 50%, LED UV is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative for printers, not least due to the recent high and volatile energy costs.
Siegwerk will also showcase other highlights from its UV-curable inkjet ink portfolio, developed exclusively for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners. The company’s solutions are engineered to provide maximum performance and reliability through deep technical co-development, ensuring seamless integration with an OEM’s printing equipment.
All UV inkjet solutions are 100% free of compounds that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR-free), addressing the highest regulatory standards. The entire portfolio is optimized for modern, energy-efficient LED curing systems. For standout print quality, these inks provide an extended colour gamut further supported by custom-developed spot colours to meet specific brand requirements.
Taghleef Industries launches detachable in-mould label film technology
Taghleef Industries has introduced a proprietary technology that the company says sets a new benchmark in the development and production of in-mould label (IML) films for rigid polypropylene (PP) packaging decoration: detachable in-mould label films.
Traditional PP IML films are widely used for decorating rigid containers without the need for adhesives, offering high durability and strong visual appeal throughout a product’s lifecycle.
This new technology enables the production of IML films that retain their adhesion during use but are designed to separate cleanly and easily during mechanical recycling, thanks to a uniquely engineered film structure.
During mechanical recycling, label flakes—printed with non-bleeding inks and protected with lacquers—detach first during the grinding phase, and are then removed in the air elutriation stage, where they are directed to flexible plastic recycling streams. This process reportedly prevents contamination of the PP recycling flow and greatly improves the purity and quality of the recovered flakes.
Visit Taghleef Industries at Labelexpo Europe – Hall 3, Stand A42
Xeikon introduces the TX300 narrow-web press with TITON
Originally introduced for paper-based flexible packaging applications, Xeikon’s TITON technology has now evolved into a toner platform for mainstream label production. Built on Xeikon’s legacy in dry toner innovation, TITON technology, without the use of varnish, sets out to deliver the resilience of UV inkjet, in combination with the regulatory confidence of dry toner. TITON toner technology offers both composition compliance and migration technical compliance for food applications.
At the upcoming Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona, Xeikon will debut the TX300, a narrow-web press powered by TITON toner technology designed for converters who need labels that are both tough in the supply chain and trustworthy for food. TITON enables premium results on coated and uncoated papers as well as polypropylene (PP) facestocks, without the need to apply varnish.
Xeikon reports that early adopters who transferred jobs from a UV inkjet-based press to the TX300 report that the prints are durable without varnish, the matte look is elegant, and the quality on paper substrates is outstanding. Above all, they feel confident about food safety and future regulations, which has been key to deciding to opt for TITON technology.
Live demonstrations on the booth will highlight how TITON technology removes compromises between durability and compliance.
For more info and registration, visit https://pages.xeikon.com/xeikon-labelexpo-2025
Software and printing innovations by Atlantic Zeiser
Atlantic Zeiser will highlight solutions that enable brand owners and print-houses to meet evolving global serialization requirements, strengthen supply chain security, and leverage packaging ccodes for operational and marketing benefits at Labelexpo.
Responding to increasing demands for traceability and anti-diversion measures, Atlantic Zeiser will introduce CodeVault, a secure software solution for generating, printing, storing, and managing serial codes. CodeVault streamlines code creation and distribution across multiple printing-houses and production sites, enabling robust and automated serialization workflows. The application supports security-focused and standardized data formats, ensuring consistent and compliant codes across all sites. With real-time oversight of data and full integration into production lines, the solution enhances product identification, brand protection, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Preparing for GS1 Sunrise and the shift to 2D codes
The industry-wide GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative is accelerating the transition from linear barcodes to 2D codes. These codes can carry richer information such as production data, batch numbers, serial codes, and expiry dates. Atlantic Zeiser’s late-stage printing technology supports this change by enabling the embedding of diverse data directly into 2D codes. This capability allows manufacturers to implement new coding requirements seamlessly. It also offers flexibility for late-stage customization of packaging artwork, unlocking both operational efficiencies and marketing opportunities.
Find Atlantic Zeiser at Booth L95.
Analogue and digital print solutions by Fujifilm
Fujifilm will return to Labelexpo, Barcelona this year, continuing its theme of ‘Analogue. Digital. Sustainable.’ with an emphasis on innovation and new technologies.
In the analogue area of the stand, live flexo plate production will be taking place using Fujifilm’s Flenex FW water-wash plates, with complete platemaking cycles apparently taking less than 40 minutes.
Alongside this, there will be demonstrations of Fujifilm’s LuXtreme LED UV system and CuremaX inks and varnishes.
Also on show will be the Jet Press FP790, Fujifilm’s water-based digital inkjet press designed for flexible packaging, which the company says offers a true alternative to flexo without compromising on quality or regulatory compliance.
Fujifilm’s flagship B2 digital inkjet press, the Jet Press 750S, increasingly relevant for folding carton applications, will also be featured.
One of Fujifilm’s new ‘5UPER COLOUR’ 5-colour presses, recently launched in Europe, the mid-range Revoria Press SC285S features an additional speciality toner station to allow five-colour printing in one pass. Ideal for packaging producers, these ‘5UPER COLOUR’ presses reportedly offer high-speed output, excellent media flexibility, and impressive print quality that rivals offset, thanks to advanced toner technology and high-resolution laser imaging.
Fujifilm’s Imprinting Solutions will also be showcased on the stand. Built with scalable Samba printheads, these single-pass printbar solutions reportedly eliminate the need for repositioning and aim to ensure seamless operation across different print widths and media types.
All of this will be available to view on stand 5D73.
Recyclable and CO2-reducing adhesives by Henkel
At Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona, Henkel Adhesive Technologies will look to demonstrate how companies can use advanced adhesive solutions to comply with the requirements of the EU packaging regulation PPWR and actively shape future-proof packaging design.
Henkel is showcasing its recyclable PSAs at the trade show, under the theme “Enabling Circularity in Labels – with Adhesives & Coatings.”
They include wash-off PSAs for PET bottles, which can be removed without any residue even at low temperatures; among these is Aquence PS 3017 RE, which won the FINAT Sustainability Award 2024. In addition, the company is showcasing repulpable adhesives for paper labels that completely dissolve in the recycling process.
Henkel is also bringing in its experts from the Henkel Packaging recyclab, located at the Henkel Inspiration Center Düsseldorf (ICD). The in-house test center allows packaging designs to be tested under realistic conditions and evaluated in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Henkel is also showcasing solutions for CO₂ reduction: specially developed PSA adhesive solutions that are ideal for linerless label applications. The company says that as they do not require a liner, these products reduce the amount of material used and increase process efficiency in label printing.
In addition, Henkel believes that its UV-curable PSA adhesives stand out not only for their high energy efficiency, but also for their resistance to heat, chemicals, and environmental influences. These properties are said to make them ideal for demanding label and tape applications, such as in the medical sector or the graphics industry.
Henkel will be demonstrating all of the above at Hall 4, Stand 4C45.
New PP Flex label films by Herma
The new Herma PP flex label films, on show at Labelexpo, reportedly boast properties usually associated with classic PE films, but use considerably less material.
Herma PP flex white (grade 840) and HERMA PP flex clear (grade 847) have a thickness of just 45 µm — around 40% less than standard PE films.
Herma claims that as a result of their easily wettable outer layer without a top-coat, both PP films can be flexo-printed just as well as conventional corona-pretreated PE films — or classic PP films with a top coat — after corona pretreatment.
The company also says that despite their low film thickness, HERMA PP flex films are comparable to standard PE films in terms of rigidity and dispensability. This apparently means that reduced material usage contributes to greater sustainability without compromising processing speeds, production efficiency or printability.
These two films have been developed for applications in which significantly thicker white or transparent PE films are usually used. The two new films are therefore additional components in the existing HERMA Thin Range. This range now includes a variety of self-adhesive materials that aim to save resources as a result of their reduced weight.
You can visit Herma at Hall 3, Stand A46.
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