Labelexpo Europe 2025 opens next week: all you need to know

Labelexpo Europe 2025 will open its doors next week at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. 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 a record number of exhibitors with more than 650 confirmed, and brings a festival atmosphere highlighting innovation, education, sustainability, and community.

Expect to see press technology reaching new levels of performance 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. Organisers 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 are 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.

New to Labelexpo, The Pulse Arena, provides a stage on the showfloor for education and networking, addressing the industry's current pressing challenges with daily presentations from leading industry experts. The programme 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 specialised masterclasses on ‘Folding Cartons for Label Converters’ and ‘RFID Technology’, providing in-depth knowledge on these fast growing segments.

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 programme 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 utilise 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, creating a truly circular solution. 

‘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 am 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.

Labelexpo Europe 2025 runs from 16 to 19 September at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona.