The year 2026 does not look like a spectacular restart. It is part of a phase of technical consolidation in which every investment decision is scrutinized. Measurable sustainability, productivity per operator and data integration dominate exchanges between suppliers, printers and principals.
European regulations, understanding PPWR, EPR and the digital product passport
The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is entering its operational phase. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are becoming more widespread. And the digital product passport is becoming an integral part of the IT roadmaps of international groups.
The PPWR, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, is the new European regulation on packaging and packaging waste. Unlike a directive, it is directly applicable in member states. It sets binding targets for reduction at source, reuse, incorporation of recycled materials and, above all, effective recyclability of packaging. For a label printer, this changes the reading grid. A design is no longer judged solely on how well it fits into a line or its graphic appearance. It must demonstrate its compatibility with an existing recycling channel. This applies to PET, solutions for HDPE, sleeves, wash-off adhesives validated according to protocols such as Finat FTM 26, and deinking inks. PPWR thus introduces an obligation of technical proof, and no longer a simple declaration of intent.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) completes this system. The principle is simple: the producer finances and organizes the end-of-life management of its packaging. In practice, contributions paid to eco-organizations are modulated according to environmental performance. Packaging that is difficult to recycle, disrupts sorting or incorporates materials that are incompatible with existing flows, incurs a higher cost. This eco-modulation has a direct effect on the specifications sent to processors. Mono-materials, mass reduction, compatibility with optical sorting, elimination of unnecessary components - everything is reviewed. In this way, economic pressure is brought to bear down the entire value chain.
The third element is the Digital Product Passport. As part of the European Green Deal, it aims to associate each product with a set of digitally accessible data. This information covers composition, origin of materials, repairability, recyclability and, in some cases, carbon footprint. In practice, this means that the label becomes a data access medium. Whether it's a 2D code compliant with GS1 standards, RFID or another digital identifier, the printed medium must make it possible to link the physical object to a structured, secure information base. For printers, this implies mastery of variable data flows, traceability of ink and adhesive batches, and the ability to provide reliable information to their customers.
As you can see, PPWR, EPR and the digital passport are not just abstract acronyms. They redefine label design, material choices, machine investments and information systems. And in 2026, to ignore these regulatory frameworks is to expose oneself to commercial as well as legal risk.
UV LEDs and energy transition, between constraint and opportunity
The switch to UV LEDs is confirmed for 2026. In several industrial portfolios, LEDs now account for more than half of all systems produced.
Technically, LEDs reduce energy consumption, limit heating of sensitive substrates and simplify maintenance. Inks and varnishes formulated for LEDs are proliferating, even if regulatory requirements make the development of chemistries more complex.
Printers are faced with a trade-off. Invest in a new press or retrofit a mechanically sound machine. In many cases, LED retrofitting can achieve a high level of performance at a controlled cost. The energy transition is not limited to drying. Low-energy motors, heat recovery and optimized start-up cycles are all part of the purchasing criteria.
Digital printing, hybridization and resolution enhancement
Digital printing continues to grow, driven by the multiplication of references, short runs and reduced inventories. 1200 DPI inkjet platforms are becoming an industrial production tool, no longer a back-up solution.
Hybrid presses combining flexo and inkjet are gaining in credibility. They increase the economic tipping point between flexo and digital. For printers, this means fewer off-line transfers, less handling and a more integrated workflow.
Flexography continues to dominate high-volume production, particularly in the food industry. Growth rates remain moderate across formats, at around 2% to 4% depending on the technology. Asia is growing faster than Europe and North America, although the pace is slowing.
RFID, 2D codes and unit traceability
As RFID requirements become more widespread, particularly in the retail sector, converters are integrating encoding and on-line control. Linerless RFID labels are appearing, combining the elimination of the silicone backing with contactless identification.
The benefits are clear. Fewer reel changes, faster print-and-apply cycles, simultaneous reading of multiple units inbound or outbound. But integration requires equipment capable of handling chip insertion, encoding, optical inspection and connection to ERP systems.
At the same time, the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative is accelerating the adoption of 2D codes at the point of sale. Some projects are limited to graphic updates. Others involve a complete overhaul of layouts and data flows.
Traceability becomes a competitive asset. It supports regulatory compliance, the fight against counterfeiting and the collection of marketing data. It also makes file management and information security more complex.
Automation, AI and data governance
Artificial intelligence is all the rage. But in the field, the priority is still to put flows in order. Shops still operating with fragmented manual processes are discovering that AI amplifies strengths as well as weaknesses.
Specialized MIS label systems are gradually replacing generic ERP systems. Real-time integration of press, finishing and prepress data enables dynamic scheduling and more accurate costing. 100% inspection and machine vision reduce rejects and minimize rework.
Concrete applications include predictive maintenance, online color analysis and automated order entry. For managers, the question is no longer whether or not to adopt AI, but how to structure data to derive operational value from it.
Software investment is becoming as strategic as machine investment.
