LabelExpo Europe 2025—taking place from 16–19 September at Fira Barcelona Gran Via—promises to be the most important gathering yet for the label and packaging sector. With more than 650 exhibitors, the event is not only showcasing the latest in label production but also, for the first time, giving equal spotlight to folding cartons and flexible packaging. This reflects the industry’s growing versatility and the challenges it faces in adapting to new consumer demands, technologies, and regulations.
Among the central themes this year are automation, material innovation, smart packaging, and, perhaps most importantly, sustainability. With the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) dominating conversations, many exhibitors are presenting so-called “sustainable” materials and solutions. Yet, as our Managing Director Mark Thompson points out, the key question remains: how much of this innovation represents genuine environmental progress, and how much is simply greenwashing?
Mark will be attending LabelExpo for the first time, bringing with him years of expertise in recycling, circularity, and release liner recovery.
His focus will be to cut through the noise and highlight the solutions that deliver real, measurable carbon reduction and cost savings—chief among them, Techlan’s glassine release liner recycling service.
A proportion of Mark’s trip will be time spent at the Herma stand to discuss Techlan’s ongoing collaboration. Herma’s support has been instrumental in opening doors within the label sector, helping Techlan reach more converters and expand awareness of its recycling service. Since launching the partnership in 2024, Techlan has already diverted more than 270 tonnes of glassine release liner from landfill—material that would otherwise have gone to waste. Instead, it has been transformed into Re-Liner, Techlan’s 100% recycled release liner.
This achievement matters for two critical reasons. First, every tonne recycled is a tonne of waste avoided, protecting valuable resources and reducing landfill use. Second, and just as importantly, every roll of Re-Liner produced completely replaces the need for virgin liner manufacturing. That means a direct, tangible reduction in carbon footprint and a clear step forward for sustainability in the label industry.
As the sector navigates new regulatory pressures and rising environmental expectations, Mark Thompson’s presence at LabelExpo Europe 2025 underscores Techlan’s commitment to delivering practical, circular solutions that work—not just promises.
