Portuguese print sector looks to SCREEN inkjet technology to navigate market consolidation

The European printing and packaging landscape is currently undergoing a ruthless period of consolidation, and the Portuguese market is feeling the pressure acutely in 2026. Mid-sized converters are caught between rising substrate costs, a severe shortage of skilled press operators, and brands demanding shorter, more sustainable print runs. Recognizing this critical juncture, SCREEN Europe recently opened the doors of its Inkjet Innovation Center (IIC) in Aalsmeer, Netherlands, hosting a highly targeted delegation of Portuguese printing professionals to demonstrate how high-speed inkjet can serve as an operational lifeline.

Organized in close collaboration with Fernando Tordo, CEO of inPrintout—SCREEN’s regional dealer for Portugal—the two-day event bypassed the usual broad-strokes marketing to focus on the specific structural changes reshaping the Iberian peninsula. The presence of Dr. Lopes Castro, President of APIGRAF (the Portuguese Association of Graphic, Packaging and Digital Communication Industries), underscored the gravity of the situation. Castro provided a stark assessment of the local sector, noting that the ongoing labor shortages are no longer a temporary hurdle but a permanent market condition that requires immediate technological intervention.

The Shift to Paper-Based Flexible Packaging

For packaging converters attending the Aalsmeer event, the theoretical benefits of digital printing took a backseat to urgent commercial realities. Recent volatility in traditional substrate supply chains has forced converters to explore alternative materials. Here, SCREEN’s Truepress PAC 520P emerged as the focal point of the open house.

Now in full commercial production across Europe, the Truepress PAC 520P is specifically engineered for paper-based flexible packaging. This is a critical development for the sector. Historically, paper flexible packaging struggled to meet the stringent product protection and consumer safety requirements demanded by major FMCG brands. However, the live demonstrations at the IIC showcased how these technical barriers have been dismantled. Water-based inkjet technology, combined with advanced paper substrates, is now delivering the barrier properties and visual impact required for retail shelves.

Major brands have already begun accepting digitally printed paper flexible packaging into their core ranges. For Portuguese converters, this represents a tangible opportunity to bypass the volatile plastics market and secure high-margin contracts with sustainability-focused brands.

Strategic Survival Through Automation

From an analytical standpoint, this event highlights a broader trend in the equipment manufacturing sector. Vendors like SCREEN are no longer just selling print quality; they are selling operational resilience. The Portuguese market has historically been highly fragmented, characterized by numerous small to medium-sized family-owned businesses. As consolidation sweeps through the region, these companies must either scale up their efficiency or risk being absorbed by larger European conglomerates.

Digital inkjet technology, with its minimal setup times and reduced reliance on highly specialized manual labor, offers a clear route forward. By transitioning from legacy analog systems to automated digital workflows, converters can maintain profitability on short runs while simultaneously addressing the labor crisis.

SCREEN’s targeted approach to regional markets like Portugal demonstrates a deep understanding that the shift to digital is no longer just about speed, but about operational survival amidst severe labor and material constraints. Will the rapid adoption of digitally printed paper-based flexible packaging finally push traditional flexo out of the short-run market entirely? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai