Labelexpo Asia 2019 Set for Shanghai in December with 25% Larger Show Floor and New Innovation Hall

The 9th Labelexpo Asia, supported by the Printing and Printing Equipment Industries Association of China (PEIAC), is scheduled for December 3-6 this year at Halls E1-E3 of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

By the end of September, more than 300 domestic and international equipment manufacturers and material producers had confirmed their participation. The show floor is 25% larger than the previous edition, setting a new record and marking the second consecutive edition with growth above 20%.

To strengthen promotion, attract professional buyers and create an interactive, win-win atmosphere, organizer Tarsus Group and its partner PEIAC joined forces.

On October 18, a high-level 2019 Labelexpo Asia Press Conference and Promotion Meeting was held at Shanghai Huating Hotel, officially launching pre-show preparations.

China's Printing and Flexographic Printing Landscape

Shi Jianping, Secretary-General of the Flexographic Printing Branch of the Printing Technology Association of China, was invited to share industry insights. He noted that flexo is the mainstream label printing technology in developed overseas markets, while in China flexo accounts for about 12%-15% of the total output value of the printing industry. The 2019 China Flexographic Printing Development Report provides the following figure:

In 2017, China's flexographic printing output value was approximately RMB 144 billion to RMB 180 billion.

According to Shi, the growth of China's flexo market stems from national green and environmental policies as well as rising localization of flexo technology, equipment and consumables. Flexo press manufacturers exhibiting this year, including Weigang, Zhongte, Taiyo Machinery, Hongsheng, Ouge, Yuantie, Sanzhe and Shanghai Aijun, have clearly improved equipment quality, precision, performance and converting processes.

That said, domestic flexo presses still lag imported machines in combined performance, intelligent design, labor reduction and waste control, and some high-end label printers still prefer imported equipment. At this edition, Omet, Mark Andy, MPS and Bobst will present their latest solutions. A standout is the 7-color N610IM hybrid press jointly developed by Domino and Spande, combining Domino's N610i digital UV inkjet label press with Spande's new high-speed intelligent S7 flexo system; Yunbo digital presses will also be showcased. For label companies, this offers more learning and equipment selection opportunities.

He also noted that domestic flexo plates and plate-making equipment from Lucky Huaguang, Dongguan Meiju and Shanghai Qiangbang are growing quickly, adding momentum to China's flexo development. The show will bring together Hangzhou Keli Electromechanical, Liaoning Zhenghong Baochi, Hangzhou Dongxin Optoelectronic Technology, the AMSKY brand represented by Shanghai Aoluola, Ruian Saideyi's exposure and mounting machines, and high-definition plate-making equipment from international brands such as Esko.

As green printing policies continue to take effect, printers are moving from indifference toward flexo to proactive interest. Many Chinese label printers, such as Shanghai Zhengwei, Suzhou Yali, Suzhou Jiangtian, Beijing Deji and Chengdu Tongtongyin, are using wider flexo presses to enter shrink sleeve label and flexible packaging markets.

Meanwhile, traditional Chinese label equipment makers such as Zhejiang Weigang, Taiyo and Zhejiang Zhongte have begun producing flexographic presses, expanding formats from the mainstream 220mm/330mm to 460mm and even 660mm.

Highlights of Labelexpo Asia 2019

Labels and flexible packaging belong to the same broad field, with printing, rewinding, slitting and converting equipment and processes closely connected. The co-located sister event, the 2019 Asia Flexible Packaging Printing Exhibition, also focuses on printing—the core step in label and flexible packaging production—making it an important window for converters to grasp relevant technologies in a short time and well worth visiting.

Afterwards, Liu Tao, China Director of Labelexpo Asia, spoke on behalf of the organizer under the title 'Label Technology Development Trends and Highlights of Labelexpo Asia 2019'. He analyzed global label and packaging printing trends, with several data points released in China for the first time.

Speaking about the upcoming Labelexpo Asia 2019, he introduced the following:

The newly added Hall E3 will serve as the 'Innovation Hall', divided into three printing zones: digital, smart and flexible packaging.

More than 30 digital printing equipment and related companies will exhibit in this area, including Domino, Konica Minolta, Dilli, Shanghai Yunbo, Hongbo Intelligent, Haotian, Runtianzhi, Dragen, Changzhou Teminei, Hefei Runjie, Amica, Epson, Zhenghong Baochi, Shanghai Guanzhong, Wuxi Lida, Zhejiang Leipeng, Taiwan GCC, Zhuojue, Ningbo Worui, Guangzhou Pintu and others.

The Smart Label Zone in the same hall will cover 500 square meters, with Avery Dennison, UPM Raflatac, Voyantic, Muehlbauer, Aida, Xinjinglu, Shanghai Liandian, Guangzhou Jingsai and others exhibiting together.

He added that there is much more to see. With stricter national environmental requirements, partial localization of flexo plates, and improvements in printing precision and speed, traditional printing deserves special attention at this edition. Key exhibits include the Omet iFLEX intelligent printing line, Weigang in-line flexo press and Taiyo STF-340 flexo press. Hongsheng, Yuantie, Sanzhe, Guangdong Ouge and Shanghai Aijun will also present their latest flexographic printing equipment.

In addition, the combination of offset printing and label printing is a distinctive feature in China. As an important label printing process in the country, offset printing has developed rapidly in recent years. Major exhibits include the Wanjie WJPS350 shaftless PS plate intermittent rotary press, Weigang intermittent PS plate label press and Zhongte offset press.

Liu Tao concluded: 'With strong support from PEIAC, the exhibition will present a wealth of new equipment and materials. This edition will also, for the first time, introduce a master class organized and hosted by the internationally renowned Label Academy, focused on shrink sleeve labels and digital printing technology. The two-day program will be taught by Andy Thomas, Strategy Director of Tarsus Group, together with experts from various fields. Combined with other on-site activities, we aim to surpass previous editions in both exhibitor return and visitor experience, giving back to our printing colleagues.'

The press conference was moderated by Yu Sijing, Marketing Manager of Labelexpo Asia, who also delivered a welcome address. More than 50 media representatives attended, including Longkun Media & China Good Packaging Network, Printing Magazine, Shanghai Packaging, Green Packaging, Libang Printing Network, Hongdong Media, Baolian Network and Siai Flexo.

Labelexpo Asia 2019 is open free of charge to professional visitors. Register online now at www.labelexpo-asia.com.cn or scan the QR code below to receive a full set of exhibition admission tickets.

—This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-353610.html