The shortlisted nominations for the 2023 Global Label Awards have been announced by the awards judging panel, which brings together FINAT, TLMI and the editors of three leading label industry publications. All nominations are in alphabetical order. The shortlisted nominations for the Rising Star award are Tommy Schouten of Geostick and - in the first joint entry in the awards’ history - brothers Harry and Tom Baker of Baker Labels. Nominees should have a record that reflects ongoing, exceptional and growing contributions to the label industry and clear potential for future levels of leadership and responsibility.

The Team Award is introduced for the first time. The nominations are the team behind the GSE InkConnection blogsite and the Mercian Labels ‘lights out’ project members including Screen, CERM, ABG and Esko. The winning team should have developed a new service, or working method which provides a model to move the global label industry forward.

There are two New Innovation awards for companies of different sizes. For the over 300-employee category the nominees are Asahi Photoproducts, Dow and Lintec. For the under 300-employee category the nominees are Cartes, GEW and Rotometal. The nominees for the Sustainability award are Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives, Lintec and UPM Raflatac. The winning company entry should demonstrate progress towards a sustainable future for the global labels industry.

The final award category is for Converter of the Year. The nominees are UK-based Baker Label, Singapore-based Honsen Pte Ltd and Italy-based Pilot Italia. The winner should demonstrate encouragement of a diverse and inclusive work environment, development programs for employees, contribution to community initiatives, sustainability programs within the company and the introduction of innovative products or programs for end users.

The Label Awards judging panel is Philippe Voet, president of FINAT, Tim McDonough, TLMI Chairman, Chelsea McDougall, editor of Labels & Labeling, Greg Hrinya, editor of Label & Narrow Web, and Jean Poncet, editor of Etiq & Pack. The winners of each category will be announced at a gala dinner on the first night of Labelexpo Europe 2023. The winner of the Label Industry Global Achievement award, Malcolm Rae, has already been announced and this award will be presented at Labelexpo Europe 2023.

Commented Andy Thomas-Emans, chair of the judging panel, ‘It has been a fantastic experience during our judging session to see the full range of innovation, team energy and powerful sustainability initiatives driving this vibrant industry forward. On behalf of the judges I would like to thank everybody who submitted nominations and we look forward to revealing the names of the winning individual and companies at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels this September.’