European Graduate Program - Operations / Manufacturing

Material Week Tokyo 2026: Avery Dennison targets labor and plastic reduction. Key takeaways. * Avery Dennison showcased drop-in fastening and tagging technologies designed to improve manufacturing speed, reduce labor reliance, and lower production costs. * Its Ecotach portfolio uses recycled PET, recycled PP, and paper-based options to help manufacturers replace virgin and single-use plastics. * The company sees Asian manufacturers balancing high-speed production with tighter sustainability requirements. Ryo Himuro, senior business development specialist at Avery Dennison. Avery Dennison highlighted its plug-and-play packaging manufacturing solutions targeting markets in Asia at Highly-Functional Material Week Tokyo 2026 (Sep 30 - Oct 2). Ryo Himuro, senior business development specialist at Avery Dennison said local producers balance environmental sustainability demands with expectations for extreme production speed. Packaging Insights met with Himuro on the show floor in Japan, to find out more about the offerings that the US materials science and digital identification solutions company showcased at the event, as well as the opportunities it sees in East Asian market. At the trade show, Avery Dennison presented a new approach to multilayer construction using its semi-automated fastening technology for manufacturers affected by increases in adhesives prices. The sewing solution eliminates the need to wait for adhesives to dry without relying on workers' specialized craftsmanship, according to the company. It can "securely" fasten low-density cushioning materials and textile materials. The company adds that the solution can improve efficiency and achieve "significant" cost reductions with ease. At its booth, Avery Dennison also demonstrated its InDES Elastic Staple system, ST9500plus, its automated tagging and ticketing system, and its mattress fastening system, as well as recycled material tag pins. Himuro told Packaginginsights more about the packaging industry challenges Avery Dennison addresses and the market developments its solutions are designed to confront. Tackling single-use plastic. Avery Dennison focused on two main areas at Material Week Tokyo 2026, as outlined by Himuro: sustainability and operational efficiency. Avery Dennison says its sewing solution eliminates the need to wait for adhesives to dry."On the sustainability front, we are showcaseding our Ecotach portfolio, which replaces virgin plastics with recycled materials, like recycled PET (rPET) from recycled water bottles, and recycled PP from containers, as well as paper-based options." He explained that these solutions help its brand partners eliminate single-use plastics, divert waste from landfills, and comply with emerging regulations, like plastic packaging taxes across Europe. "On the operational side, we are highlighting our automated machinery, including our IndES Elastic Staple System, mattress tools, and automated tagging systems," he shared. "The challenges we are solving here are labor reliance and workplace safety. These systems are built to boost application speed, save labor time, and improve overall productivity while actively protecting operators from injury." Responding to Asian market demand. Avery Dennison is innovating and adapting its technology in response to developments and market demands in Asia, Himuro outlined. The company aims to ensure manufacturers never have to choose between efficiency and sustainability, according to the spokesperson. "Asia is the powerhouse of global manufacturing, but factories here face a dual challenge: maintaining extreme production speed while complying with strict new environmental regulations, both locally and from global brand buyers," he explained. "Our key innovation is providing a true drop-in replacement. Local manufacturers can seamlessly transition from virgin plastics to our Ecotach recycled fasteners using the exact Avery Dennison tools or machines already on their factory floors." Himuro said that the solutions meet global compliance standards without slowing down production lines or investing in new capital equipment. Upcoming innovation. Himuro suggested that the most significant opportunity for innovation for the company is anchored in its Avery Dennison 2030 Sustainability Goals. "Our primary target is to ensure our solutions satisfy the recycling, composting, or reuse requirements for all single-use consumer packaging. We are also targeting all of our core product categories to meet our third-party verified Sustainable ADvantage standard." "Looking ahead, our next step is to continue pioneering sustainable solutions that protect the environment while simultaneously driving higher daily productivity and efficiency for our customers." At Material Week Tokyo 2026, Packaginginsights also explored the offerings and material innovations of Oji Holdings, which span food containers for fresh food products and fabrics aimed at replacing conventional bubble wrap, and Cargill Bioindustrial's Incroflo P50 additive for polymers for food-contact film packaging to aid processing. Also at the show, Packaginginsights spoke to Berndorf about its casting and drying systems for packaging film and to Brückner Group about its stretching and developing systems for packaging films. Hindalco spotlighted its ceramic solutions aimed at glass pharmaceutical packaging. With reporting from Sichong Wang at Material Week Tokyo 2026

Avery Dennison to showcase its latest innovations at Loupe India. Avery Dennison will showcase its latest innovations in labelling and packaging at Loupe India 2026, from 29 October to 1 November 2026, at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida at Hall 7, stall C15. The company will showcase its latest innovations across various applications demonstrating how next-generation labelling solutions are enabling brands to enhance performance, improve traceability and build more efficient packaging ecosystems. As packaging continues to evolve to a strategic business asset, Avery Dennison will showcase solutions that help brands strengthen pack decoration and functionality, product integrity, improve operational efficiency and unlock greater value across the supply chain. The company will highlight how advances in materials science and digital identification are transforming labels into powerful enablers of consumer engagement, compliance and circularity. Avery Dennison is focused on delivering premium labelling solutions that combine shelf appeal with durability and operational reliability. Designed to meet the evolving needs of consumers, these solutions help create stronger brand differentiation while maintaining performance across demanding environments. Saurabh Agarwal, vice-president and general manager, materials group, Avery Dennison South Asia, said, "The packaging industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by changing consumer expectations, increasing regulatory focus and growing sustainability commitments. Labels today play a much larger role than product identification; they have become critical enablers of traceability, compliance, consumer engagement and circularity. At Loupe India 2026, we look forward to engaging with industry stakeholders and demonstrating how innovation in materials science and labelling solutions can help brands build smarter, more resilient and future-ready packaging ecosystems." Jitesh Mehta, senior director, marketing, label and packaging materials, South Asia, added, "Across the region, we are seeing brands place greater emphasis on packaging performance, transparency and sustainability. These priorities are reshaping how packaging is designed, produced and managed throughout its lifecycle. Through our innovations in labelling materials and digital identification solutions, Avery Dennison is helping customers address these challenges while unlocking new opportunities for efficiency, differentiation and growth. Loupe India provides an important platform to collaborate with industry partners and accelerate the future of sustainable and connected packaging."

Mem-re and Avery Products Corporation have announced a global partnership to integrate RFID-enabled event credentials with digital experience platforms. Under the agreement, RFID wristbands, badges, and cards produced by Avery's ID&C and RFID Hotel businesses will integrate with Mem-re's patented platform, transforming traditional access credentials into interactive hubs for guest experiences. The credentials enable users to access personalised content, augmented reality features, merchandise offers, and sponsor activations through a single tap, without requiring an app download. The technology creates connections before, during, and after events. The partnership formalises a relationship tested over the past year at major artist tours and sporting events across the NBA, NHL, and FIFA World Cup. The companies will initially focus on live events, concerts, festivals, sports, and hospitality, with plans to expand into corporate events, theme parks, and travel.