Just as since the last Labelexpo Europe, in 2019, digital and flexo printing presses have made great strides – the former in speed; the latter in automation and efficiency – so have there been significant developments in the finishing and converting machines that complement them.

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The first edition of Labelexpo Europe since 2019 has closed on a high note, with a total of 637 exhibitors taking part in the show, which took place between 11-14 September at Brussels Expo in Belgium.

When no flexo presses were shown at Labelexpo Americas in Chicago last year, some commentators asked if flexo was dead, finally superseded by a generation of faster, wider and more productive digital presses.

The first edition of Labelexpo Europe since 2019 was one for the record books. Event organizers reported a total of 637 exhibitors taking part in the show, which welcomed 35,889 visitors from 138 countries as the global industry returned to Brussels Expo from Sept 11‐14.

Conventional flexo technology made a return to Labelexpo after an absence from the Americas show in 2022, with much success. Meanwhile, digital technology continues to be a clear addition to many converters’ technology toolkits.

It was a fantastic sight to see so much state‐of‐the‐art flexo press technology at Labelexpo Europe 2023 after all the talk about the ‘death of flexo’ after Labelexpo Americas last year.

Labelexpo Europe 2023 was a manifestation of an industry-wide commitment to environmental concerns and innovation

Advancements in water‐wash flexo plate technology played a major role at Labelexpo Europe 2023, offering faster and more sustainable flexo plate production and banishing the negative quality perceptions of older generations of water‐wash technology.