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    Tag: label printing house in Finland

    Concordia Group demonstrates the power of collaboration in the European label market

    Posted on by Katriina Hieta

    Auraprint has been part of the Concordia Labels Group for several years. Concordia is a collaboration network formed by well-known, independent European printing companies. Instead of acquisitions, Concordia is based on voluntary cooperation.

    The group consists of Auraprint (Finland), Arca Etichette (Italy), Carini (Austria), Digi-Paq (Belgium), Eshuis (the Netherlands), IPE (Spain), and Mercian Labels (the United Kingdom).

    “Concordia does not sell anything itself and is not a legal entity; rather, it is a strategic alliance of independent companies. We share information about market trends, technology, and best practices, and we challenge each other to improve. This naturally also creates commercial benefits, for example in the procurement of raw materials,” says Francesc Egea, CEO of IPE.

    There is no membership fee, but membership requires commitment to certain responsibilities. Each member company appoints one representative to the Concordia board, which meets twice a year at the production facilities of different member companies. Several subcommittees operate under the board, and Auraprint’s CEO Jussi Oksanen is a member of the procurement committee.

    “Our cooperation is most strongly reflected in joint procurement of raw materials. We combine our purchasing volumes, allowing us to procure with significantly greater strength. At the same time, we share experiences regarding suppliers, quality, and service,” Oksanen explains.

    The strength of joint procurement lies in improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized companies against large corporations by joining forces.

    “However, the final procurement decisions are always made independently by each company. Cooperation improves the competitiveness of the group’s members but does not restrict their own supply chains,” Oksanen adds.

    The Concordia board meets remotely every other month. These meetings focus on the status of procurement and future needs. In addition, the technical and production committee meets twice a year in the form of workshops and factory visits.

    “We can gain information and learn about new technologies and investments without everyone having to figure everything out independently,” says Peter Overbeek, CEO of Eshuis.

    Increased reliability of supply through cooperation

    All member companies manufacture self-adhesive labels, but as different companies also produce other products, members can, if necessary, sell each other’s products.

    “One of the major benefits of Concordia is the ability to transfer production to another company while still managing the customer relationship oneself. This is much easier with trusted partners than by outsourcing production to a completely unknown operator,” says Adrian Steele, CEO of Mercian Labels.

    One of the greatest advantages is improved resilience in crisis situations, which became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Group members are committed to supporting one another even in unexpected situations that may cause major disruptions to production.

    “Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we learned how important broad material availability is. We are now better prepared for similar situations. When entering into new customer relationships, it is also a major advantage to be able to say that we are members of the Concordia Group, as there are now seven reliable partners helping each other in potential delivery challenges,” says Roberto Sala, CEO of Arca Etichette.

    The future Concordia Group will be even more comprehensive

    The Concordia Group aims to expand geographically. Currently, the group comprises seven companies, but according to Simon Sohm, CEO of Carini, the goal is to grow to around ten member companies.

    “We still lack coverage, for example, in Ireland, France, and Eastern Europe. The ideal member company has a turnover of approximately €10–50 million, is owner-managed and independent in its decision-making, and its management team must be able to communicate in English. An appropriate size enables agility and fast decision-making, which is an advantage compared to large corporations,” Sohm explains.

    Buyer Lily Nummelin finds the best materials for customers with sustainability in mind

    Posted on by Katriina Hieta

    Lily Nummelin has worked at Auraprint as a buyer for approximately three years. She is responsible for material procurement and acts as a link between suppliers and Auraprint’s sales team.

    “The buyer’s role is very comprehensive. It involves comparing materials, ensuring availability, negotiating prices, managing inventory, and handling complaints. In addition, I support sales in customer problem situations and participate in product development to find functional and cost-effective solutions,” Nummelin explains.

    The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces new requirements for material choices, which are becoming increasingly visible in the buyer’s daily work. The regulation aims to reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability as part of the EU’s circular economy objectives.

    “Recyclability is the most critical requirement. The material must work within existing recycling systems. For example, the mono-material requirement directly affects label materials: if the package is plastic but the label does not detach during washing, the entire package may end up outside the recycling stream,” Nummelin says.

    Light-weighting of materials is also an important part of PPWR’s objectives. Smaller labels and eliminating unnecessary material reduce overall mass and waste. At the same time, a challenge arises from increasing information requirements for packaging: warning texts and multiple language versions require more space.

    “We cannot directly influence the customer’s end product, but we can support the customer in choosing the right label material and help optimize the overall solution,” Nummelin notes.

    Sustainability is not a separate part of procurement

    Nummelin hopes that material prices and technical properties would not be considered separately from sustainability, even though in practice costs still strongly guide decisions.

    “More sustainable materials are currently often more expensive, and most customers still want the lowest-cost solution. On a conceptual level, PPWR and companies’ own values influence material choices, but concrete change is progressing slowly,” Nummelin states.

    Auraprint has a carefully selected range of sustainable materials that can be offered to customers, for example laminates containing recycled content, if the customer wishes to choose such an option.

    According to Nummelin, focusing solely on costs in material selection is not a long-term approach, as continuously choosing the cheapest materials may eventually lead to reliable existing suppliers withdrawing from the market.

    “Cost pressures are high for everyone, but if reliable suppliers disappear from the market and the EU introduces, for example, a new traceability directive, there will no longer be any easy solutions available,” Nummelin reflects.

    Concordia collaboration brings a long-term perspective

    Nummelin is also involved in the Concordia labels -group, where material procurement is tendered jointly with other operators. The aim of the collaboration is to combine volumes, improve availability, and control costs.

    “The tendering process takes place every two years, which forces long-term thinking. Materials cannot be viewed from the perspective of a single customer or project, but as a whole. This clarifies the assortment, which is a good thing,” Nummelin explains.

    More sustainable options have been included in the tenders, but so far they have not been able to compete on price with traditional materials. The next tendering round is already being planned, and as experience accumulates, the requirements can be further refined.

    “When information and experiences are shared openly within the group, the collaboration delivers real benefits. Combining volumes improves both pricing and availability, but it requires continuous dialogue,” Nummelin says.

    In her work as a buyer, Nummelin is particularly motivated by how much can be achieved through small and smart changes.

    “As a consumer, you don’t think about how much work goes into a single label. It’s rewarding to see how a small material change can significantly reduce costs or improve process efficiency,” she says.

    The most challenging aspect is the constant balancing between cost, sustainability, and availability. Nummelin’s work at Auraprint is demanding, but rewarding.

    “I really enjoy working at Auraprint. The atmosphere is good, help is always available, and responsibility is given if you want it. There’s the right amount of energy here and everyday humor,” Nummelin concludes.

    Label Significance and Requirements – Special Focus on the Chemical Industry

    Posted on by Katriina Hieta

     

    A label is much more than just a product identifier

    It provides the user with essential information about the product and its safe use, while also contributing to the product’s quality image and usability.

    A well-designed label meets all regulatory requirements and withstands the challenges of use and environmental conditions – often surprisingly harsh ones.

    Product safety as the starting point

    In all industries, product safety is the foundation of labeling. A label must:

    1. Provide correct and clear product and ingredient information,

    2. Remain firmly attached and legible throughout the product’s lifecycle,

    3. Be chemically safe – no substances may migrate from the label into the product.

    In the chemical industry, these basic requirements are particularly emphasized, as labels are often exposed to chemicals, moisture, heat, and abrasion.

    The challenge: chemicals and demanding conditions

    Products in the chemical industry – such as cleaning agents, lubricants, and various technical fluids – may dissolve label adhesives or fade print.

    In addition, products are used and stored in environments where temperature and humidity vary drastically – for example, in saunas, cold storage areas, or damp cleaning facilities.

    Therefore, selecting the right adhesive and surface material is crucial. Printing techniques and protective coatings must also be carefully chosen to ensure the label remains neat and legible throughout its use.

    The impact of packaging surface and shape

    Chemical product packages often have challenging surfaces or shapes. Rough, coated, or uneven plastic surfaces can make label adhesion difficult.

    Unusual shapes – such as curved or conical containers – require precise label design and material selection to achieve both functionality and visual appeal.

    Labeling line requirements

    A label must perform not only in use but also in production. On labeling lines, speed and consistency are key.

    Uniform rolls, proper adhesive properties, and accurate die-cutting ensure uninterrupted operation. Even small variations – in release or die-cut depth, for instance – can cause disruptions and unnecessary waste.

    The right solution through collaboration

    When environmental conditions, packaging, and product content impose numerous demands, the right solution is not always obvious.

    That’s why label design is best done in close cooperation with an experienced partner.

    At Auraprint, we are accustomed to finding the best solutions even for demanding chemical industry applications.

    We offer a wide range of materials and adhesives and can test new options when needed. Our printing inks withstand impact, chemicals, moisture, and light.

    Our versatile printing technologies – digital and flexographic – enable both small and large production runs.

    We also provide multi-layer labels, shrink sleeves, and tactile warning triangles using inkjet technology for products that require them.

    Get in touch

    A well-designed label is more than a mandatory part of packaging – it is an essential component of product quality, safety, and brand identity.

    In demanding sectors such as the chemical industry, it also ensures that the product performs and endures in all conditions.

    If you are planning a new product label or want to ensure the reliability of your existing ones, don’t hesitate to contact us – together we’ll find the optimal solution for your products.