Page 33 - FINAT Yearbook 2014

drivers of change – many of which are already evident. ‘Decreasing run lengths, and margins too; digital printing; thinner substrates, sustainability, recycling; and product safety concerns and regulations’ were the ‘headlines’ he highlighted. But could we expect any growth in self-adhesive labels in mature markets? Would there be consolidation in the label printer base? And how would the industry react to the changing retail landscape?
‘DON’T GET STUCK WITH B AND C BRANDS!’
Major opportunities for self-adhesive labels still remain in the food and beverage segments, said Mr Vanhanen; and, while consolidation is a fact today in the label converting industry, the larger companies have not experienced growth in market share. Meanwhile, the European retail industry also continues to consolidate, resultantly making the ‘A’ brands and private label brands the winners – so Mr Vanhanen adjured label converters to evaluate their business carefully. ’Don’t get stuck with just B and C brands!’ he said. He reminded delegates that ageing demographics are changing the retailers’ target groups – and products for elderly consumers now and tomorrow represent a major growth market for retailers and packagers alike.
‘COLLABORATIVE SUSTAINABILITY’
Angelo Depietri, Vice President and General Manager, Avery Dennison Materials Group Europe, chose to focus on the
challenges and possibilities of the label industry’s sustainability credentials. In his 34 years in the industry, Mr Depietri has seen much change and growth in the label industry -- but today, he said, ‘the environment and sustainability are still two of our biggest issues. There are currently various initiatives regarding liner waste – recycling, thinner, re-pulping,
burning, converting into other products, linerless labels – but there is still no global solution.’
He explained that, while many of today’s label product innovations are in themselves delivering better sustainability, ‘collaborative sustainability across our value chain also comes into play in the area of recycling – and it is another opportunity for all of us to be a resource for our customers. It is not enough for a product or package to be theoretically recyclable; it must be effectively recycled through programmes available to a substantial percentage of communities.’
Mr Depietri concluded: ‘I am quite optimistic that young people can forge a successful career in the self adhesive- industry -- as long as we as an industry focus on the keys to success in the future:
sustainable innovations; international/global collaboration; being open-minded in relation to new technologies; embracing new ways of co-operating, new business models, and continuously finding new ways to support and delight our customers; maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit, and keeping the passion that has led our industry for so many years.’
In a follow-up Q&A session led by the congress moderator, Jussi Vanhanen agreed that ‘customers and end users will simply not accept “greenwashing”. Environmental initiatives have to be genuine!’ FINAT’s role as a central enabler for industry-wide initiatives was applauded by the two speakers, particularly in view of the inclusiveness of its membership, spanning the entire value chain.
FINAT LABEL COMPETITION PRESENTATIONS
Concluding the formal agenda on the first day of the Congress was the 2013 FINAT Label Competition Awards ceremony, together with the presentation of the Awards for the winners of the student competition to design the Congress logo.
The winners of the 2013 FINAT congress logo competition are presented with their awards by FINAT President Kurt Walker, FINAT Board member Aydin Okay and VskE President Robert Mägerlein.
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FINAT YEARBOOK 2014 |