Last week, our DALIM team attended Labelexpo Barcelona, which will become LOUPE (Labels & Outer Packaging Embellishment) starting 2026. If you couldn’t make it, here’s our recap and key takeaways from what many call the greatest show on earth.
Sustainability: Where Protecting the Planet Meets Innovation and Luxury
Sustainability is a major topic, especially in Europe with the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (don’t worry, we’ll soon publish a dedicated article on this new legislation).
One of the most insightful conferences was led by Ryan Chai at The Pulse on Sustainable Innovation in Flexible Packaging. He highlighted major industry trends around monomaterial packaging:
• Many brands are shifting to monomaterial packaging, which is far easier to recycle compared to multilayer alternatives (currently, less than 5% of multilayer packaging is recycled).
• Increasingly, companies are pledging 100% recyclable-ready packs, particularly for dry foods, snacks, home and personal care refills, and pet treats.
• Beyond sustainability, monomaterials also offer premium design possibilities—through textures and embellishments—that appeal to luxury brands.
According to Ryan Chai, this marks the next era of innovation.
He also pointed out the ongoing debate between plastic and paper. Both materials have strengths and drawbacks, but the real industry challenge is making both recyclable, so brands aren’t forced to compromise.
In short, brands and converters urgently need recyclable, reusable, and waste-reducing solutions, without sacrificing efficiency or quality.
The End of Barcodes? The New Rise of the GS1-powered QR Code
Another fascinating session, led by Camilla Young, explored the future of barcodes. As we all know, GS1-powered QR codes, which can embed multiple layers of information and unlock use cases such as full product traceability are on the rise.
Why? According to Camilla, their interactivity allows consumers to instantly learn more about a product, whether it’s recyclable, responsibly produced, or safe. QR codes are also being driven by global regulatory pressure. GS1 QR Codes are great for ensuring professional traceability, meeting regulatory compliance, and integrating with logistics systems.
A key example in Europe is the Digital Product Passport (DPP) for long-life cycle products, which provides transparency on what happens to items even after purchase (check out our article on DPP for more details).
Camilla Young summarized the key benefits of GS1-powered QR codes:
• They engage and inform customers.
• They provide vital product details.
• They facilitate recalls and reduce waste.
• They can support the growth of a circular economy.
But here’s the open question: how will this transition account for those who don’t have smartphones or aren’t comfortable using them (e.g., older consumers)? Will essential information remain printed on packaging to ensure accessibility for all? Can we make this shift while still being truly user-friendly? How will the data generated through QR code scans be handled, and what safeguards will brands put in place for the information they store?
Automation as the Backbone of Competitiveness
Automation is fast becoming the backbone of competitiveness. Companies that streamline workflows, from design to prepress to production, gain a decisive edge in speed and cost control.
• Collaboration and compliance are top priorities: The need for real-time proofing, version control, and seamless integration with Adobe Creative Suite, AI tools, and PIM/ERP systems has never been greater.
• AI integration is no longer theoretical, it’s here today. More importantly, AI is solving real business problems, not just acting as a buzzword.
How Can DALIM Help?
At DALIM, we deliver solutions designed to address all these emerging challenges:
• Regulatory compliance: With our collaborative tools and viewer, every stakeholder can participate in the packaging production process—from design to print.
• Traceability and accountability: Annotation tools and tailored workflows ensure mandatory approval steps, giving you confidence and compliance.
• Automation and efficiency: Automate workflows to increase speed and consistency, while safely creating regional or market-specific variants.
With DALIM, you can meet regulatory demands, embrace innovation, and stay competitive while delivering high-quality packaging faster and more sustainably.