AWA DecTec Asia Conference Reports Success

China's official labeling exhibition, China Label, partnered with AWA Alexander Watson Associates and AWA Conferences to offer participants and visitors a rewarding picture of the label industry.

With GDP increasing at 8 per cent per annum, China represents a dynamic market economy; and as the requirement for packaged goods grows, so does the need for labels and product decoration.

China's official labeling exhibition, China Label - the longest-established event of its kind and now in its sixth year - partnered with AWA Alexander Watson Associates and AWA Conferences to offer participants and visitors a broader, more rewarding picture of the label industry today.

As well as taking the role of international co-organiser of China Label, AWA also partnered Sino Link Exhibition Co in establishing the first-ever DecTec Asia - a truly international label and labeling technology conference.

Sponsored by many leading companies associated with the global packaging industry, the conference proved a real success.

DecTec 05 Asia was held alongside China Label in the conference facility at Guangzhou's Chinese Export Commodities Fairground on 14-15 July and, for the greatest benefit for all participants, in simultaneous translation in Chinese and English.

Over the two days, the conference attracted more than 100 participants for a programme that provided a multi-disciplinary update on the label industry, both internationally, and in China today.

The opening session was devoted to an evaluation of the labeling and product decoration market and the many technologies now employed in it.

AWA Alexander Watson Associates' president and chief executive officer (CEO), Corey M Reardon, presented what has become the new global definition of 'labeling': the much broader, and more appropriate canvas of product decoration and identification.

His paper demonstrated how brand owners choose to 'mix and match' decoration technologies to achieve the most effective - and cost-effective - results.

As he showed, while self-adhesive labeling continues to dominate, it now competes not only with wet glue labeling, but also with other technologies such as sleeving, in-mould, and direct print.

AWA's senior consultant, Dr William Llewellyn, then went on to profile the size, segmentation, and growth expectations in the label market in Asia.

Trends and growth drivers in the self-adhesive label market in China were identified and discussed by Mike Bero, director of marketing for Avery Dennison Roll Materials Asia Pacific, established in China since 1994, and with a strong base of self-adhesive labelstock sales and productions across the country.

A paper from Gary Gates, CEO of the Garron Group, USA, shared the company's expertise in shrink sleeves - today a popular and fashionable choice for consumer goods labels.

In the last paper of the session, Louie Wang, local business development manager for StoraEnso, examined paper and wet-glue label applications in China.

Technologies and narrow-web converting were the topics addressed in the second session of DecTec 05 Asia; and Ted Qian, key account and product manager for Raflatac Asia, appropriately opened the session with an evaluation of the supplier's role in the label industry.

It must, he said, combine a high level of technical support with quality materials and sales service.

Ken Daming, director of product development for USA-based press manufacturers Mark Andy, presented an exciting profile of the ways in which new press and print technologies can help a label converter to address new markets, and at the same time streamline production.

His enthusiasm was matched by that of Michael Mogridge, Hewlett Packard's sales director for the Asia Pacific region, who looked at the future for digital print on labels.

Cost reduction in self-adhesive laminates, and competing with alternative decoration technologies, was the subject Hardi Dohler, research and development technology manager for release liner manufacturers Degussa Goldschmidt, chose to cover; while Jenny Geng, paper marketing manager, Asia, for Dow Corning, looked at the key role of silicone and release liner in the self-adhesive label market.

A prime focus in today's labeling industry across the globe is the subject of smart labeling - and RFID technology; and these were the topics covered by the final session of DecTec 05 Asia.

AWA's Dr William Llewellyn set the context with a paper which detailed the many smart labeling and RFID technologies available now worldwide.

Two companies who have developed strong specialism in this field then presented their own views and experiences: Eric Lam, marketing manager, roll materials, for Avery Dennison Roll Materials Asia Pacific, and Edward Lu, regional business director, Asia, for Rafsec.

A review of the specialty inks which can be used in security and brand protection label applications, presented by Ted Zhi, managing director, XSYS Print Solutions China, completed the session program.

"Both Sino Link and AWA were delighted with the strong attendance this first-ever DecTec Asia conference received in China".

"We were particularly pleased with the good turn-out, and with the lively question-and-answer sessions which underlined the delegates' deep interest and desire for knowledge," said Corey Reardon.

Ma Kaili, general manager of Sino Link Exhibition Co, echoed these sentiments.

"We have appreciated the extra dimension our partnership with AWA has brought to China Label", said Mr Ma, "and we look forward to strengthening that partnership in the future".

The DecTec 06 Asia Label and Labeling Conference will take place as a key event alongside the China Label 06 exhibition in Shanghai, in December of next year.

Full details of DecTec Asia 05, and of all AWA Conferences' events, are available via the website.

Back to top