Labelexpo Europe starts tomorrow in Brussel

Visitors to Labelexpo Europe will be able to discover the label and packaging technology of tomorrow at this year’s show. Being held at Brussels Expo in Belgium from 29 September to 2 October, the show will be taking an up close look at the latest developments in active and intelligent packaging as part of the inaugural Smart Packaging Lab feature area.

Smart packaging solutions are already beginning to drive consumer demand and influence purchasing decisions while transforming the retail experience and stock management processes and Labelexpo will include a roundup of the latest advances in substrates, inks, digital systems and printing. Show-goers will also be able to view augmented reality systems, radio frequency identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC) smart tags alongside anti-bacterial films that prevent label contamination. Exhibitor highlights from this fast moving sector will include:

Avery Dennison will feature RFID technology from its Retail Branding and Information Solutions (RBIS) business. RFID can provide 99+% real-time inventory accuracy and improve efficiency by offering heightened product visibility, throughout the end-to-end global supply chain. In addition, the company will feature FiberTracker, an anti-counterfeiting labelling solution which features a paper facestock with unique fibre patterns that can be scanned at point of purchase to validate product authenticity. The company will also demonstrate the capabilities of DirectLink, which uses NFC technology to deliver special offers, videos, and product information. Avery Dennison will feature a printed electronic label that highlights time, temperature and tracking information to ensure compliance of product handling.

Blippar is the world’s leading visual discovery app, harnessing augmented reality and image-recognition technology to bring the physical world to life through smartphones. Once the Blippar app is downloaded, people can blipp (‘scan’) objects they’re curious about and unlock useful and entertaining content.

EyeSee optimizes marketing communication effectiveness with affordable and fast eye tracking and facial coding insights. The company measures and maximizes return on advertising, shopper and digital using its innovative online webcam-based platform to track eyes and facial expressions with respondents’ laptop and webcam at home.

Seido Systems will be showcasing the latest in 3D technology for package printing. From individual designer through product development collaboration to the manufacturing department, Seido Systems and Stratasys offers FDM and PolyJet 3D printers designed for you. Stratasys will bring Fortus and Polyjet machines to the exhibition.

Systec, a German manufacturer of cylinder and flatbed screen printing and slitting equipment, will be displaying various techniques for printing flexible printed circuits for labels and electronic devices. These techniques will include via hole printing and contact drying solutions for effectively printing and drying a variety of conductive inks.

Taghleef Industries will be promoting its Derprosa Bacterstop’s range: anti-bacterial BOPP films for food contamination prevention applications. The BOPP films are treated on one side with either matte or gloss with anti-bacterial properties, while the other side is corona treated for printing and laminating. Applications include pressure sensitive, roll fed wrap around and in-mould labels.

Lisa Milburn, managing director of the Labelexpo Global Series commented, ‘The whole smart packaging section of the market is rapidly developing and continuously evolving. It is being driven and influenced by many external factors such as brand owners trying to leverage consumer loyalty, the desire and need to improve efficiency in the retail chain and the need to protect against anti-counterfeiting. Smart packaging is here to stay and is impacting on all major industries so this feature area will give a taste of the many technologies out there and how they can be applied from food and drink, to pharmaceutical, to automotive products and beyond.’