After a wait of almost five years Labelexpo Southeast Asia returned to BITEC in Bangkok on February 9-11, with 7,448 visitors from 84 countries attending over the three days.

Having successfully launched in 2018 the second edition of Labelexpo Southeast Asia was originally scheduled for May 2020, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aimed at connecting printers/converters, brand owners, label and package printing technicians, buyers and design specialists, the event was supported by the Thai Innovative Printing Trade Association (TINPA) and showcased the technologies of over 170 of the region’s leading suppliers. The show attracted large delegations from outside Thailand, most notably from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, India, Singapore and Vietnam.

The three-day show featured a Digital Embellishment Trail where visitors were able to view samples and talk to experts about the possibilities of variable embellishment. Participants included Kurz, Grafotronic, Epson and Domino.

Other highlights of the event included Konica Minolta unveiling its AccurioLabel 400 5-color digital label press at the show; Durst showcased its Tau RSC E 330 5c, an entry-level introduction to Durst’s Tau RSC technology; Flora also brought its J-330S, a compact 5-color digital UV inkjet machine with Epson print heads; and Malaysian manufacturer Sen Label showcased a high-speed full servo intermittent UV flexo and UV LED letterpress.

Richard Quirk, event manager, Labelexpo Southeast Asia, comments, “We are delighted with the response we have received from exhibitors and visitors alike. After 5 years away we found a market that was eager to engage with the latest technologies. Over 70% of exhibitors re-confirmed their space for the 2025 edition with many significantly increasing the size of their stands.”

Echoing this Marcus Greenbrook, director, International Sales, GEW, says, “It was great to be back at the first Labelexpo Southeast Asia since 2018…we had visitors from all over Southeast Asia, including several from Australia, and the flow of visitors was very high on the first two days. GEW and Press Systems have already signed up for the next show in 2025.”

Mongkol Piannapitham, president of Thai Innovative Printing Trade Association (TINPA), adds, “Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2023 was an important and valuable platform for the industry to reconnect, share valuable knowledge and expertise, to take business forward and to introduce the latest innovations to the leading manufacturers in the region. TINPA embraced the opportunity of the 2023 event to stage their technical seminar, TINPA print Awards and to meet once again with Asia’s print professionals.”

Jade Grace, portfolio director, Labelexpo concludes, “Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2023 was our third successful show in the last six months, which illustrates the post-pandemic resurgence of the label and package printing industry. We look forward now to Labelexpo Mexico 2023 in April and, of course, Labelexpo Europe 2023 in September.”

Labelexpo Southeast Asia returns May 8-10, 2025.