Labels and Labelling has a report from Finat, which found that demand for Labelstock rose in Europe in the second quarter of this year, after a slow start in the first quarter. Interestingly, Finat found a greater increase in the volume of demand for paper roll rather than filmic roll label materials.

Labels and Labelling also reports that VIP Label, based in Argentina, has set up a new digital division and installed an Epson SurePress L4533AW press complete with a GM DC330 digital finishing line. The company is hoping to become one of the top five converters in the Argentine market.

The Canadian title Graphic Arts Media, reports that ASL Print, based in Woodbridge in Ontario, Canada, is to install a Domino N610i digital label press. This company, which already has 12 digital and flexographic presses, specialises in unique label solutions for the wine, spirits and beer industries.

Still in North America, Inkjet Insight asks if web-to-print is enabling high volume production or leading to bottlenecks in inkjet printing? The article argues that printers should ensure that their web-to-print system is fully optimised, fits within the business and is suitable for the work in hand.

ME Printer writes that Coca-Cola’s strategic bottling partner, the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, has bought 94.7 percent of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Egypt for $427 million, in order to expand into its largest market in Nigeria and grow in Egypt, and of course to increase its profits.

According to Printweek, British printers are preparing for the end of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention scheme though a recent Printweek poll found that almost 58% of respondents were still claiming furlough help. However, the story points out that many printers have restructured and are not expecting further redundancies to result.

From Australia, Print21 states that printers based in 12 areas of New South Wales have just five days to ensure their staff have at least one dose of a covid vaccine under new government rules. Fortunately there’s no issue with vaccine supplies and printers in these areas are working to protect their staff.

Meanwhile, Print21 reports that New Zealand printers outside of Auckland can reopen as the lockdown eases to level 3, with a further review of the covid situation promised in a week’s time. The story quotes Ruth Cobb of PrintNZ, pointing out that the organisation’s safety protocols should help printers keep working.

Africa Print has a story from Printing SA, which has developed a range of short learning programmes that form part of the new South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) registered Carton Maker qualification. The federation also has a similar range of courses for the SAQA’s forthcoming Electronic Pre-Press Lithographic Technician qualification.

Finally, our friends at Indian Printer and Publisher have carried an appeal from Wan-Ifra, the world association of news publishers, to offer meaningful work or other support to those Afghan journalists that have been forced into exile by the Taliban’s resurgence - surely something that all of us who care about publishing should support.