Labelexpo Europe 2025 is set to showcase the evolution of folding cartons, highlighting the shift towards inline flexo platforms for producing folded, glued, and barrier-coated or lined fibreboard trays and wraps. The event, making its Barcelona debut at the Fira Gran Via from 16-19 September, will demonstrate how various industries, including beauty and personal care, have embraced short-run, embellished carton production using hybrid workflows. These workflows enable the creation of rigid boxes, sleeves, and gift packaging with hot foil, embossing, and die-cutting all in a single pass. With sustainability regulations, SKU proliferation, and rising energy costs driving the demand for these capabilities, label converters are increasingly looking to diversify into the folding carton space. Will Parker, senior packaging executive and Labelexpo ambassador, emphasizes the importance of fiber-based packaging in light of regulatory changes and evolving consumer preferences.
As consumers demand recyclable, plastic-free, and mono-material formats, brands across various sectors are reevaluating their packaging decisions. This shift is particularly evident in food, pharma, cosmetics, and e-commerce industries. Converters who can efficiently deliver recyclable cartons stand to gain a competitive edge in this changing landscape. Leveraging technologies from leading providers like Canon Edale, Gallus, MPS, OMET, Mark Andy, and Bobst, converters can seamlessly transition into the carton production space. These inline systems offer the ability to print, embellish, crease, die-cut, and strip cartons in a single pass, enhancing efficiency for short-to-mid runs. Whether producing food-to-go trays, pharma cartons, or luxury sleeves, inline workflows reduce changeovers, minimize waste, and streamline logistics. In contrast, traditional sheet-fed carton production often involves multiple stages, machines, operators, and logistics, resulting in higher power consumption, CO₂ emissions, and material wastage. By embracing the capabilities of inline systems, converters can meet the evolving demands of the market while staying ahead of the competition.
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