FINAT Radar #28 highlights a market in transition

As we navigate the complexities of 2025, the European label industry stands at a critical crossroads—marked by resilience, adaptation, and cautious optimism. The first half of the year has been a time of recalibration. While macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical disruptions continue to impact business sentiment, the findings of this latest FINAT RADAR illustrate a sector that is adjusting, innovating, and planning for the future.

The FINAT Converter Survey, conducted among 71 member companies, highlights a market in transition. Although overall demand has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, the majority of converters reported modest revenue growth in the first quarter of 2025, with 72% not seeing a decline in consumer demand. Yet behind these figures lies a more nuanced picture: muted growth in traditional end-use segments like food and beverage contrasts with stronger performance in e-commerce, household chemicals, and healthcare—sectors where demand has proven more resilient.

Technology and sustainability continue to be the twin pillars driving transformation. Converters are increasingly embracing digital and hybrid printing technologies to boost flexibility and reduce waste. Capital investment remains strong, with many companies preparing to upgrade equipment or invest in new production lines, even as economic headwinds persist. Sustainability, meanwhile, is no longer a side initiative—it’s embedded in future strategies. From matrix recycling to growing interest in linerless labels and mono-material solutions, the industry is steadily moving toward circularity.

At FINAT, we remain committed to supporting this transformation. Through our regulatory advocacy—particularly around the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)—we are ensuring the industry’s voice is heard in Brussels. Our sustainability platform CELAB-Europe continues to scale up industry-wide recycling efforts, and our investments in digital learning through the FINAT Academy are helping future-proof our workforce.

The coming months promise to be pivotal. Labelexpo Europe in September will offer a platform for industry reconnection and strategic alignment. Parallel initiatives, such as a study on non-European label imports and workshops for a harmonised carbon footprint tool, underscore FINAT’s role as a forward-looking industry catalyst.

As this edition of the FINAT RADAR makes clear, the European narrow-web community is not just weathering the storm—it is preparing to thrive in a new market reality. We invite you to explore the insights presented here and join us in shaping a sustainable, innovative future for our industry.

Download the FINAT Radar #28 here.

Jules Lejeune
Managing Director, FINAT