AWA joins Sappi’s Blue Couch series

Corey Michael Reardon, president and CEO of AWA Alexander Watson Associates, has joined Robert Gabriel-Jürgens, head of sales for label papers at Sappi Europe, in the latest episode of the Sappi Blue Coach series to discuss where is the label market headed and how can everyday products be labeled in a way that is resource-saving and environmentally friendly.

AWA joins Sappi’s Blue Couch series

According to AWA, despite the pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties, the market for labels and product finishing is growing steadily at a global level of close to four percent a year. However, the overall framework has fundamentally changed in recent years. The issue of sustainability, in particular, is presenting the industry with new challenges. More and more consumers today are insisting on environmentally friendly products. Without resource-saving fiber-based labeling and packaging, the entire development is no longer sustainable. At the same time, quality requirements are constantly increasing. 

Gabriel-Jürgens is discussing these critical issues with Reardon focusing specifically on the label and product decoration market.

AWA’s Reardon sees significant growth opportunities for wet-strength labels and labels applied with wet glue – due to their wide range of possible applications and better recyclability. Sappi also sees great potential here and has recently announced an investment in the double-digit millions for its Austrian mill in Gratkorn.

The two participants in the discussion agree on the fact that no company on its own can establish sustainable packaging and labels for everyday products on a large scale. 

The new Sappi Blue Couch episode can be watched now at: www.sappi-psp.com/the-blue-couch-series