FINAT Label (CONT’D FROM PAGE 37)
Lejeune emphasized that structural changes, such as the exclusion of Russia and Belarus from data and pos- sibly the increased sourcing from countries outside Eu- rope such as China (originally driven by the severe label materials supply chain disruptions a few years back), are reshaping the market, and FINAT was in the process of commissioning a market research to assess the impact and implications of these changes. He also pointed to a rise in direct thermal and PP mate- rials driven by e-commerce and innovation. Label printers must rethink growth strategies, he ar- gued. Recovery is uneven across regions (Spain stands out positively), and premium or diversified applications (e.g. e-commerce, thermal labels) offer pockets of resil- ience. Understanding shifts in material mix and sourcing dynamics will be critical for planning and procurement. Business Trends: Consolidation, Collaboration, and New Growth Frontiers Corey Reardon highlighted consolidation and vertical integration as defining features of today’s market. The pressure-sensitive (self-adhesive) segment represents 39 percent of the global label market, but much of that is driv- en by VIP (variable information printing) labels for logistics, not prime decorative applications. “There’s opportunity in being more than a converter,” Reardon said. “The winners will be those who collaborate across the value chain to offer full-service, sustainable solutions.” Europe accounts for 22 percent of global label produc- tion, but the competitive pressure from Asia, particularly China, is intensifying. Meanwhile, demand is softening and inflationary headwinds are forcing a rethink of operational models. Business owners must embrace partnerships to stay competitive. Whether through supply chain integration or knowledge-sharing platforms like FINAT, collaboration is becoming a growth enabler. Companies that remain stag- nant still risk falling behind. Consumer Attitudes: Health, Trust, and Tangible Value Linda Lichtmess provided an analysis of consumer mind-
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sets heading into 2025. Health consciousness, long-term value think- ing, and skepticism toward vague sustain- ability claims dominate consumer behavior. “Consumers still want sustainable op- tions, but they demand proof,” she said. “Ef- ficiency, functionality, and real benefits are
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December 29, 2025
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