AWA

The packaging market is certainly going through a period of change—evolutionary, not revolutionary. Macro ­issues outside the control of even leading companies are causes for concern and bringing pressures to bear on the sector. Currency exchange rates complicate and inhibit international trade, particularly with the weakening U.S. dollar. Retailer competition in the consumer market is intense. Globalization has become a reality for many companies and, in some cases, an imperative for continuing success. For the packaging industry supply chain, the complexities are also complicated by high raw material costs and an increasing choice of technologies available to the brand manufacturer to package, identify, and

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands—AWA has updated and expanded its AWAreness Report on the global shrink sleeve label market. The Global Sleeve Label Market and Technology Review 2007 provides an assessment of the global sleeve label market, covering both global and regional markets, growth prospects, material trends, and technologies, with emphasis on the changing structure and trends within this business area. Sleeve label formats have been the focus of growth in the label sector throughout the early part of this decade, with double-digit growth rates and an increasing list of end-use applications. Sleeve labels have provided label designers, brand managers, packaging technologists, raw materials producers, and printers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—All that remains for the brand protection market to take off is for brand owners to start requesting protection solutions. The technology is there, the market is ready to explode, but brand owners aren’t jumping on board yet. Such was the message at PABS07 (Product Authentication and Brand Security), held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 4-5. The conference brought together almost 100 representatives from government agencies, suppliers, end users, and media to learn about the state of the brand protection market. Operated by Alexander Watson Associates (AWA), the annual event is presented in association with the Brand Protection Alliance (BPA) and featured a day

The RFID star isn’t shining quite as brightly as it was when Wal-Mart mandated that crates and pallets from its top 100 suppliers carry RFID tags. Once heralded as the next big thing in packaging, RFID usage still has not made it all the way down to the item level on a widespread basis. Still, it incorporates one of the first implementations of printed electronics and comes to mind for many when printed electronics is mentioned. However, printed electronics does not just mean RFID, and package printers may want to educate themselves now about it to become experts before their competition does. While the

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—IMLCON07, the 15th International In-mold Labeling Conference—organized by AWA Conferences & Events—will be held Oct.10-12 Scottsdale, Ariz. at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort. IMLCON attracts delegates annually from around the world and from all aspects of this growing and dynamic industry—from raw material suppliers, machinery manufacturers, and converters to end users. This year’s program focuses on the key developments in the industry in terms of new materials, technologies, applications, and market trends, and features a diverse program of international speakers. On the second day, much of the program is given over to a series of concurrent workshops led by the In-Mold Decorating Association

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—IMLCON07, the 15th International In-mold Labeling Conference—organized by AWA Conferences & Events—will be held Oct.10-12 Scottsdale, Ariz. at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort. IMLCON is the only conference totally dedicated to in-mold labeling and decorating and its technology and markets. It attracts delegates annually from around the world, and from all aspects of this growing and dynamic industry—from raw material suppliers, machinery manufacturers, and converters to end users. This year’s program focuses on the key developments in the industry in terms of new materials, technologies, applications, and market trends, and features a strong program of international speakers. On the second day, much of

Innovation and embracing change is the name of the game when it comes to release liners; at least that was the word at the Global Release Liner Industry Conference in Chicago, March 28-30, organized by AWA Conferences and Events. At the conference, Todd Schweigert, director of marketing for Loparex, explained how films are driving release liner opportunities—growing at 5-6 percent annually. He also discussed which films represent the “right substrates” for liners in labelstock, composite, industrial, tape, graphic arts, medical, and hygiene markets; choosing coatings; and features of silicone adhesives. Derrick MacDonald, director of films product management for Avery Dennison Fasson Roll North America

AWA Alexander Watson Associates has published the AWAreness Report Global Wine & Wine Label Market & Technology Review 2006. This report provides an understanding of the wine label market. It describes trends in volume growth and materials technology by region, and identifies the main drivers for those trends. The Global Wine & Wine Label Market & Technology Review provides subscribers with detailed information on the wine labeling market worldwide, including market volumes and growth rates by region, types of labeling formats, and new materials and converting techniques. The study also outlines the market structure and the present and future demand for wine labeling by

NAPERVILLE, Ill.--The Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, Inc., (TLMI) Naperville, IL, has commissioned AWA Alexander Watson Associates to research and publish the 2007 edition of the North American Label Study (NALS). This in-depth TLMI study, updated by the association every three years, aims to inform label converters and suppliers about the drivers shaping the pressure-sensitive label market. It also provides benchmark-level researched market data and trend information to assist companies in making business decisions critical to their growth and profitability -- a strong benefit for TLMI member companies and others involved or considering participation in the North American label market. “Publication of the North American

With favorable trends in the use of plastics and pouches, flexible packaging converters are set for success. FLEXIBLE PACKAGING CONTINUES to cast a shining glow over the package-printing landscape. The category has at least two very positive forces filling up its sails (could be spelled "sales"). One is the continuing industry trend toward the use of plastic materials and, along with this, the growth of pouches as a preferred packaging method. In a study released last October titled "Paper versus Plastic in Packaging to 2008," The Freedonia Group projected plastic materials used in packaging to increase 3.1 percent annually through 2008. At