Edale’s event predicts bright future for carton production industry | Labels & Labeling

Jul 01, 2025

Steve Lister, global sustainability strategist and Jo Stephenson, managing director of Think B2B Marketing, shared their expert opinions at the event.

Edale organized a Rethinking Carton Production Open Day in the last week of June 2025. The one-day event welcomed packaging professionals from across the UK and was designed to encourage meaningful discussion about the future of carton manufacturing. The day included expert insights from guest speakers Steve Lister, global sustainability strategist, and Jo Stephenson, Managing Director of Think B2B Marketing. They shared perspectives on industry change, innovation and the evolving role of packaging. Jo also moderated an open forum, which produced fascinating insights into the future of carton production and its issues. Louise Bailey, head of new business at Edale, said: 'The aim of this event was never just to showcase technology, it was to start a conversation. We know the carton market is evolving rapidly, and this was an opportunity to bring people together, share honest insights, and explore the realities of what the next phase of production might look like. The level of engagement and openness in the room was fantastic.' The open forum featured wide-ranging and in-depth discussions on the misconceptions surrounding single-pass flexo carton production and its potential. One of the attendees noted that 'it will be the cornerstone of disruption in the carton market', despite a relative hesitancy from traditionalists within the industry. This hesitancy was explored further, as several attendees acknowledged that flexo is still, in some circles, perceived as inferior in quality to traditional offset or litho processes, despite significant technological advancements in recent years. Some even shared that they are aware of those who avoid using the term 'flexo' in their marketing materials for fear of deterring brand owners. The discussion highlighted a clear need for improved industry education on today's flexo capabilities, particularly where single-pass systems can now deliver high-end, embellished cartons with print quality equal to, or exceeding, that of conventional processes. The discussion also touched on the impact of upcoming sustainability legislation, including the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Attendees discussed how these policies are driving renewed interest in fibre-based packaging, with cartonboard emerging as a strong contender due to its wide recyclability, mono-material construction, and compatibility with existing recycling infrastructure. It was agreed that brands seeking to reduce environmental impact and avoid future penalties are increasingly viewing carton board as a practical, premium and regulation-ready solution. Bailey added: 'We were delighted to welcome such a knowledgeable and engaged group to the event. The conversations were open and insightful, and reaffirmed that many in the industry are actively seeking smarter, more efficient production models. We’re proud to play a part in supporting that shift.' Attendees also had the opportunity to explore the complete single-pass carton production process through a live demonstration of Edale’s FL5 and insight into Edale’s Carton Cost Calculator tool. The tool provided an unbiased view of the data comparing in-line vs. traditional carton production.

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