Jennifer Dochstader (pictured) and David Walsh of LPC Inc presented the findings at the FINAT European Label Forum 2017
According to a new study commissioned by FINAT, digital print technology represented 9.7% by value of the European printed label market in 2016. The largest growth to 2022 will be in inkjet.
The Digital Label Study 2017 was carried out by market research company LPC Inc. A preliminary report was presented to the association members at the European Label Forum in June.
The survey investigated current status, anticipated market sizing and growth to 2022, converter benchmark data and production trends. The research also identified digital press market share by technology, revealing that of the 2000 digital label presses installed in Europe, 76% are toner-based systems and 24% are inkjet/hybrid. However, indications show that inkjet press installation growth to 2022 is expanding at a higher year-over-year rate than toner-based press systems.
The converters surveyed were also asked to define the challenges they are experiencing with their current digital presses. While cost of ownership came in at the top, press downtime due to service issues was in second place, with the challenge of finding enough business to fill the available digital capacity next. Printing high-opacity whites was added to the list for toner-based presses, while finishing requirements and colour matching were noted by inkjet press owners. The survey also confirmed that end users are increasingly insisting that their label converters avail themselves of digital print technology.
‘The Digital Label Study 2017 is a detailed portrait of an industry, and its end-use markets, embarking on a voyage of discovery that is definitely going to find new worlds,’ said FINAT managing director Jules Lejeune. ‘In common with other packaging formats, labels are already enjoying greater flexibility in the pressroom; wider customer interaction; and a much-enhanced portfolio of product offerings to attract brand owners around the world.’
