Sappi Sets Sights on Labelexpo Europe 2025
Following AWA Summit Success
Reflecting on AWA Summit and looking forward to Labelexpo
Most recently, Sappi had the honor of attending the 25th anniversary AWA Global Release Liner Summit in Chicago from March 19-21. This premier annual event, which alternates between Europe and the USA, brings together professionals from across the Release Liner Industry. As Sappi reflects on this valuable experience, it’s now preparing for Labelexpo Europe this September in Barcelona – the largest exhibition for self-adhesive label applications, held for the first time in Barcelona after 38 years in Brussels.
AWA Global Release Liner Summit: A quarter-century of innovation
This year's summit was particularly special as it marked 25 years of this influential industry forum. “The AWA Global Release Liner Summit 2025 was represented by over 200 delegates from across the value chain to and gave the opportunity to share, learn, and network again”, comments Corey M Reardon, President & CEO of AWA Alexander Watson Associates. Sappi was represented by Gunnar Sieber, Head of Sales CCK, and Wolfgang Hoffmann, Senior Application Expert, who delivered an interactive presentation titled "CCK-based release liners: a 25-year journey in graphics arts. What's next?"
"It was fascinating to look back at how our industry has evolved over the past quarter-century," reflects Sieber. "When we started, the key drivers for selecting release liners were primarily functionality, quality, costs, and availability. Today, sustainability has emerged as an equally important fourth element influencing customer decisions."
Hoffmann adds, "The interactive format of our presentation allowed us to engage directly with industry professionals and gather valuable insights about where the market sees the future of paper-based release liners. These conversations are invaluable as we continue to develop solutions that meet evolving market needs."
Gearing Up For Labelexpo Europe 2025
Sappi is now turning its attention to Labelexpo Europe, taking place from September 15-19 in Barcelona. Visitors will find Sappi at Hall 3, Stand G 106, where Sappi will be showcasing its comprehensive portfolio under the theme “Futureproof." Labelexpo Europe is the leading exhibition for the label industry, with visitors mainly focused on self-adhesive label applications, but also wet glue label applications, making it a key marketplace for industry professionals.
Labelexpo Europe is a cornerstone event for Sappi's self-adhesive and release liner business, ... It provides us with the perfect platform to connect with customers, many of whom will also be exhibiting, and to showcase our latest innovations in CCK and glassine paper-based release liners, face stock papers, and wet glue label papers."
Visitors to Sappi’s stand can look forward to seeing the established range of high-performance release liners and label papers, as well as a preview of new developments launching later this year.
"We're particularly excited about the new product we'll be introducing at Labelexpo," Hasselblatt reveals. "While we can't share all the details yet, I can say that it represents the next evolution in our journey to deliver solutions that balance technical performance with environmental responsibility."
Connecting Across the Value Chain
Both the AWA Global Release Liner Summit and Labelexpo Europe highlight Sappi's commitment to engaging with all parts of the label and release liner value chain. These events provide valuable opportunities to share knowledge, gather feedback, and collaborate on addressing industry challenges. As Sappi moves from the AWA Summit to Labelexpo Europe in 2025, the company looks forward to continuing these important conversations and showcasing how Sappi's innovations are helping to make the future of labels and release liners more sustainable, efficient, and effective.
Sappi looks forward to welcoming visitors to the stand in Barcelona this September. In the meantime, to learn more about Sappi's range of CCK and glassine paper-based release liners, face stock papers, or wet glue label papers, please contact us.
