Labelexpo Europe took place again in Brussels in 2017, focusing on Industry 4.0 innovations of automation, IT communications and productivity. Industry 4.0 is where the IT world merges with Operational Technologies – the 'fourth industrial revolution'.
Both digital and conventional label production can benefit from Industry 4.0, but perhaps digital more so thanks to its IT 'DNA'. By any stretch of the imagination, labelling should be a mature market - yet Labelexpo 2017 in Brussels proved that there are still plenty of surprises in this segment, with new flexo and digital presses for both labelling and packaging, and increased convergence of ‘the internet of things’ and label production.
Nessan Cleary was there for Print21 - read his full report in the latest issue of Print21 magazine.