The year 2025 is now fully underway. This blog comes at a time of mixed emotions. After a recovery in 2024 (+15% in labelstock demand) following a sharp decline in 2023 (-25%), the market remains fragile. After a strong reversal in the first six months of 2024, the second half of the year saw a slowdown of the recovery, ending the year at a modest 4.3% year-on-year growth in Q4. Consumer confidence in Europe is weak, while producer sentiment is more stable but fluctuating between northwest and southern Europe due to differentiated economic fundamentals. Overall, for 2025, a modest growth of between 1-1.5% for Europe is expected.

The label industry is evolving rapidly, and the next generation of professionals is at the forefront of this transformation. Are you a young professional eager to grow, learn, and build valuable connections? Then FINAT’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) is the place to be!

The FINAT European Label Forum 2024's Session 5 centered on "Label Leadership," providing an in-depth exploration of effective leadership strategies within the label industry. The session featured a panel discussion with label industry leaders and a closing keynote by Olympic gold medalist and coach Tim Foster. Both segments offered invaluable lessons for leadership, team dynamics, and adaptability in a fast-evolving world.

Labelexpo Global Series has announced registration is now open for Labelexpo Mexico 2025, the region’s largest dedicated show for the label and package printing industry. The 2025 edition takes place between 1 – 3 April 2025 at Expo Guadalajara.

FINAT, the international association for the European label industry, is pleased to announce that Murat Sipahioglu has taken over the responsibilities as jury chairman of the annual FINAT Label Competition. This competition recognises and highlights the advantages and uses of self-adhesive labels and flexible packaging as an effective marketing, promotional or identification tool.

The FINAT European Label Forum 2024 delved deep into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in Session 4, addressing both the opportunities and challenges this disruptive technology poses to the label industry. Presented by Katie King and Dieter Tschemernjak, this session offered a comprehensive exploration of AI’s role in driving innovation, improving operational efficiencies, and maintaining competitive advantage.

FINAT, the international association for the European label industry, is pleased to announce the election of two new Board members and the extension of Philippe Voet’s term as President until mid-2026. These developments reinforce FINAT’s mission to connect, inspire, and support the label industry across its well-established community.

CELAB-Europe (a consortium hosted by the European label industry association FINAT) has appointed Marius Tent of ViaPackaging UG in Munich, Germany as its new project management partner.

Four years since the last event, Labelexpo South China returned stronger than ever, attracting a global audience.

In the third session of the FINAT European Label Forum (ELF) 2024, presenters explored the evolving landscape of sustainability, with a focus on regulations, technology, and industry collaboration. With three diverse program items, this session provided insights into the EU's advancing directive on corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD), the potential of smart packaging to reduce food waste, and readiness for the upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).