Industry 5.0: new opportunities for label converters in Italy

The transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 brings unprecedented opportunities for Italian converters, supported by significant government investments and technological advancements. For narrow-web converters, there has never been a better time to explore how the latest BOBST technologies are enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

The evolution of industrial innovation
The journey through industrial revolutions has radically transformed production, from the mechanization of Industry 1.0 in the 1800s to the digital connectivity of Industry 4.0. Now, in 2025, Industry 5.0 marks another historic shift, placing sustainability and human-machine collaboration at its core while building upon existing digital foundations. For Italian label converters, this evolution is backed by strong support: the Italian government has allocated €6.3 billion for the 2024-2025 period to drive industrial transformation. This initiative includes tax credits ranging from 35% to 45% for investments up to €10 million and from 5% to 15% for investments between €10 million and €50 million.

Sustainability through efficiency: a practical case with a BOBST printing machine
"Industry 5.0 represents an opportunity to rethink the efficiency of a company's production process in a more strategic way," explained Francesca Ricupero, Area Sales Manager BOBST for Northern Italy. "The fundamental principles are essentially sustainability and efficiency – the same principles on which BOBST solutions are designed." A practical case, presented in a recent BOBST webinar in collaboration with Crico Italia, a consulting firm specializing in facilitated finance, demonstrated how modern technology can lead to significant improvements in speed, productivity, and energy consumption.                                                                                                                         

Connected solutions for modern production
Industry 5.0 focuses on integrated systems that enhance human capabilities rather than replacing them, making it the ideal response to global workforce challenges in the printing and packaging sectors. "Today, it is unthinkable to consider BOBST simply as a machinery supplier," emphasized Marco Carpi, Area Sales Manager BOBST for Central and Southern Italy. "Rather, we are a partner offering complete solutions to help our customers become more competitive in an increasingly complex and challenging market."

Demonstrating the power of digitalization, today's label production can seamlessly integrate cloud connectivity through platforms like BOBST Connect, automated workflows, and energy optimization features. These key elements of BOBST technology work together to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and provide real-time data for more informed decision-making.

A look to the future
For Italian converters looking to embrace Industry 5.0 ahead of the competition, the journey requires careful planning. New regulations mandate the involvement of qualified personnel, such as energy managers or certified engineers, for pre-installation analysis and post-installation verification. This ensures that investments lead to tangible and measurable efficiency improvements while meeting the requirements for available commercial incentives.

The transition to Industry 5.0 is much more than just a technological advancement; it is a real opportunity for Italian label converters to build more sustainable, efficient, and human-centric operations. As always, BOBST positions itself as the ideal partner for the future of the industry. With the right approach and proper support, the dawn of Industry 5.0 could bring significant competitive advantages that Italian converters cannot afford to miss.
 

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