After a temporary pause due to the pandemic, the highly anticipated Labelexpo Europe trade fair for the packaging and label industry is set to make a comeback. From September 11 to 14, 2023, industry manufacturers, suppliers, printers, brand owners, and designers will gather in Brussels for this established event. Alongside showcasing efficient printing presses and advanced processing systems, the exhibition will also present the latest trends in labels and security solutions.
LEONHARD KURZ, a leading thin-film specialist, will be exhibiting a range of products and processes at Labelexpo Europe. With a focus on hot stamping, cold transfer, digital printing, and digital finishing, the company will demonstrate the seamless integration of innovation, creativity, and sustainability. Visitors to Stand B61/C61 in Hall 4 can expect numerous exhibits and live machine demonstrations.
Versatile Solutions: From Hot Stamping to Cold Transfer
Continuously pushing boundaries, KURZ develops established processes like cold transfer and hot stamping to offer effective and enduring solutions. The exhibition will highlight the latest hot-stamping advancements, a collaboration with subsidiary Hinderer + Mühlich (H+M), a renowned manufacturer of high-precision stamping tools. Stéphane Royère, Head of Business Area Packaging and Print at KURZ, elaborates, “At the trade fair in Brussels, our visitors can explore a wide range of decorative effects through various samples. For instance, we will exhibit label designs for the beverage industry featuring haptic enhancements, sharp metallizations, and vibrant color combinations.”
KURZ will also showcase a diverse selection of cold transfer options, including metallizations, transparent designs, and holographic effects. Emphasizing sustainability, the company will feature the KPW slim (patent pending) solution known for its exceptionally thin carrier of just 6 µm, contributing to significant material savings.
Another sustainable solution is the cold-transfer module DISTORUN® 2.0, capable of implementing single images and continuous decors. This module stands out due to its ability to reuse transfer carriers, optimizing material usage. The combination of DISTORUN® 2.0 and the TRUSTSEAL® SFX solution results in breathtaking decorations with realistic 3D effects and a unique depth effect, as showcased in cosmetics packaging at the KURZ stand. Live demonstrations will also be held at Mark Andy’s stand, C45, in Hall 4.
Individual 3D Holograms and Enhanced Product Security
KURZ will demonstrate at Labelexpo Europe that TRUSTSEAL® enables companies not only to showcase their brands and products but also to protect them effectively against counterfeiting. The exhibition will feature innovative security labels equipped with proprietary security features from KURZ, ensuring they are exceedingly difficult to counterfeit or tamper with. These labels are also armed with the ValiGate® security pattern from SCRIBOS, further enhancing their copy-protected identity with an intelligent structure.
Visitors interested in exploring product labeling and security solutions in the Thermal Transfer Ribbons (TTR) segment should make their way to Hall 4, Stand B61. Here, under the motto ‘(R)Evolution of thermal transfer printing,’ the exhibition will present the latest developments and established technologies for marking labels and packaging with variable data.
Exceptional Digital Finishing for Labels: Impressive Live Demos
Visitors to the KURZ stand in Brussels will witness the advantages of digital finishing firsthand through live demonstrations of machines from KURZ’s subsidiaries. These demonstrations will showcase the application of varnish effects and metallization on various labels. The DM-UNILINER 2D digital system and the DM-UNILINER 3D developed by Steinemann DPE will be utilized for this purpose. While the former enables brilliant 2D decoration, the latter system produces genuine tactile effects. Michael Aumann, Global Director Digital Embellishment Solutions at KURZ, explains, “Both the DM-UNILINER 2D and DM-UNILINER 3D offer unparalleled flexibility. These machines can be used independently of the existing printing system and can be seamlessly integrated into pre- and post-print processing.”
Machines and processes from KURZ’s subsidiaries will also be demonstrated through live demonstrations at the MPRINT stand (Stand B61 in Hall 4). These demonstrations will include the compact MJETeco 108 unit that allows for late-stage customization of already produced, finished, and weeded labels. Additionally, MPRINT will impressively showcase the combination of digital and analog printing technology by integrating full-color digital printing, using a 4C module with a 324 mm printing width, into existing or new label printing machines. Lastly, an ultra-compact 4C machine and the monochrome monojet® imprinting system’s integration options will be presented.
Innovative Solutions for the Label Industry
Whether it’s hot-stamped, cold transfer printed, or digitally finished labels, KURZ and its subsidiaries are committed to optimizing their CO2 emissions, reducing material and energy consumption. Notably, the thin-film specialist has successfully reduced the carrier thickness of their transfer products from 12 µm to 10 µm in the hot-stamping process and an impressive 6 µm in cold transfer, resulting in significant material savings. Additionally, this optimization has led to benefits such as reduced reel changes and decreased weight and waste. Stéphane Royère emphasizes, “It is particularly important to us to maintain our pioneering role in sustainability and assist our customers in optimizing their own processes and products in this aspect.”
At a Glance
Labelexpo Europe 2023 in Brussels (Belgium), from September 11 to 14, 2023 LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Hall 4, Stand B61/C61 Our trade fair presentation focuses on hot stamping, cold transfer, digital finishing, digital printing, recycling, design software, counterfeit protection, and more
