Aicomp Summit 2026 live: Domino Printing Sciences talks data integration in packaging

At the ongoing Aicomp Summit in Vienna, Austria (March 11–13), we speak with Lee Metters, group business development director at Domino Printing Sciences, about the latest developments in data integration, market segment shifts, and regulatory challenges facing the printing and packaging industry. 

At the event, Metters tells Packaging Insights that he aims to learn more about how the degree of digitalization in the packaging industry will affect printing processes. 

“My job at Domino is to look two to five years ahead, and therefore I have to understand what’s going on in our customer base. It’s important for me to understand what’s going on with the people who are running the businesses that will buy our equipment in the future.”

He adds that data integration will become increasingly important in the packaging and printing industries. Data gathering and management are also hindered by unclear implementation of regulations, says Metters. 

“A lot of people are assuming that maybe things won’t change, or the leaders are beginning to think about those changes. I see a huge system integration challenge for the delivery of these various bits of legislation, and eventually the delivery of a circular economy.” 

Metters also says that exploring the impact of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is important for Domino, as it is a challenge that affects many of its customers.

The evolution of traceability 

At the summit, Metters explains how printing services for traceability have evolved from basic product identifiers to a desire for real-time information.

“We’re now starting to see a greater desire for real-time information — things that make sure retailers can’t sell food that’s out of date,” he says. 

“That may sound like a small change, but it means that there must be information that went on the pack at the time it was filled. And things like DRS, eventually each pack will be uniquely identified, which changes the nature of the printing required. That’s affecting a number of different industries.” 

Data integration will become increasingly important in the packaging and printing industries, says Metters.Metters adds that 20 years ago, traceability was important, but it was mainly used to prevent or correct product mistakes, such as batch codes or expiry dates.

Upcoming packaging segments 

Metters tells us that sectors such as healthcare, pharma, tobacco, and alcohol are driving the strongest demand for advanced printing technologies, with the retail industry just beginning to look toward these solutions. 

He adds that there is already strong legislation in place in these sectors, which means “there is a lot of traceability and a lot of advanced printing going on already.”

“The retail industry is also going through a big change at the moment, because there is a move to 2D bar codes that is going to drive different ways of customer interaction, driven by those bar codes, but also a whole lot of insights around products.” 

“Customers will be able to get information about the product in their hand, how to recycle it, where it comes from, and the sustainability data from that route,” says Metters. 

He adds that the advantage for retailers is that they can manage their own inventories and minimize losses, especially when it comes to short shelf life products, like cheese, meat, and other protein. 

“These are all areas where there’s a lot to be gained in terms of waste reduction as a result of using these advanced printing techniques. But it's early days yet,” concludes Metters.

With live reporting from Milana Nikolova at the Aicomp Summit 2026.