The global label and package printing community gathered at TimeOut Market, Barcelona, for the inaugural Labels & Labeling Global Awards, staged during Festa Barcelona – the official opening party of Labelexpo Europe 2025.
The awards recognised excellence across three categories: innovation, sustainability and Converter of the Year. Winners were selected by a panel of leading industry figures including Andy Thomas-Emans (Informa Markets), Philippe Voet (Etivoet/Finat), Mark Glendenning (Inland/TLMI) and Labels & Labeling editor Chelsea McDougall.
Spanish manufacturer LemuGroup secured the Innovation Award for its UltaCompact end-of-line automation system. Dutch supplier Bio4Life won the Sustainability Award with its home-compostable pressure-sensitive adhesive. The Converter of the Year Award went to UK-based OPM Group, recognised for its heritage in label converting and expansion into flexible packaging.
The shortlist reflected a strong field, with Esko’s Print Clone AI and Mark Andy’s Digital Series HD 1200 also vying for the innovation title, while Elkem and Masterpress competed in the sustainability category. Masterpress and Schreiner Group were shortlisted alongside OPM for Converter of the Year.
Sponsors included Gallus/Heidelberg (Innovation), Durst Group (Sustainability) and Flint Group (Converter of the Year).