[dropcaps style=’2′]The eighth edition of Labelexpo Asia 2017 closed in Shanghai earlier this month with record visitor numbers. Held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), the region’s largest show for the label and package printing market attracted 20,084 buyers, up 19.9% on 2015.[/dropcaps]

Expanding its feature content and show footprint, Labelexpo Asia 2017 featured 300 exhibiting companies, including 80 first time exhibitors. The event was used to launch many new flexo and digital presses with at least 54 working machines demonstrated live on the show floor. Unveiled as part of the special Digital Trail feature area, major digital press launches included HP Indigo’s WS6800, Xeikon’s 3500, Domino’s N610i digital color press and the Durst Tau 330E UV digital inkjet press shown by Fuji Xerox.

Other significant machinery launches included the M5 Excellence inline UV flexo press from Bobst and Zhejiang Weigang Machinery’s ZJR-330/450 flexo printer and ZX-320/450 intermittent label offset press. Label Source exhibited the YTP-260R6C+1 full rotary letterpress printing machine, while Codimag and IST showed an LED-UV semi-rotary offset press for the first time. Brotech debuted its SDF 520 multi-functional finishing system for digitally printing labels and packaging while Luster Light launched new brand new proofing solutions at the show.

Continuing the demand since the last show in 2015 for more sustainable products and services, UPM Raflatac promoted its RafCycle recycling system and Hangzhou Changli became its first Chinese partner. Avery Dennison displayed its updated products and new technology including cold chain logistics, removable labels, hose packing, as well as its solution for putting its sustainability concept into action and promoting green developments for the industry.

In addition to the Digital Trail, the show also hosted its first SMART Zone which highlighted new technologies and applications for improving customer appeal and for tackling anti-counterfeiting. DPS Innovations, Shanghai Jion Point Information Technology, ST, Thinkgo Technology, Visualnet and Voyanic showcased a range of new active and intelligent label and packaging applications such RFID/NFC labels, nano materials and specialist inks.

James Samuel, events portfolio director, Labelexpo Global Series said, “It is amazing to see Labelexpo Asia grow in size and stature year-on-year. Strong quality content is always key to a show’s success and our conference program run in partnership with PEIAC and dedicated focus on digital and smart technologies has kept the show fresh and relevant. Asia has the biggest demand for labels by volume and with 42 digital suppliers at this year’s show, it really highlights just how much the market is shifting towards short runs. Again, as we saw at Labelexpo Europe earlier in the year, the other big areas of interest for Chinese printers coming out of this edition, have been automation and digital finishing. This market is fast developing and we look forward to returning in 2019.”