SISTRADE celebrated its 25th anniversary with the SISTRADE International Conference 2025 – 25 Years of Innovation, held on July 18th at the Pestana Douro Riverside Hotel in Porto. The event exceeded all expectations, bringing together around 150 participants from 20 different nationalities, including clients, partners, members of the press, and industry experts. Throughout a full day dedicated to technological innovation and digital transformation in the graphic arts industry, the conference featured plenary sessions, specialized workgroups, networking opportunities, and live technology demonstrations.
Approximately 51% of participants came from outside Portugal, reflecting SISTRADE’s strong global presence and international positioning. Professionals from 19 countries in addition to Portugal were in attendance, including Spain, Italy, Poland, Thailand, Slovenia, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and others.
The event opened with the session “25 Years of Innovation – The Future Begins Now”, introduced by SISTRADE CEO António de Sousa Ribeiro, who emphasized the company’s role as a driver of digital transformation in the industry. Francisco Leiras, Director of Industry & Services, presented smart production and MES integration solutions in the context of Industry 4.0, while André Oliveira, Director of Flexible Packaging & Labels, highlighted the importance of interoperability and scalability in the development of software for these sectors. Helder Martins, Director of Printing & Packaging, focused his talk on the technological evolution of printing and packaging, and how ongoing innovation and digitalization are reshaping production processes and business models.
The “Knowledge Exchange: Industry Perspectives” panel followed, with contributions from prominent industry leaders:
- Mike Turner (ECMA) stressed the need for greater alignment between EU legislation and operational realities in the packaging industry, advocating for data-driven and impact-based policymaking;
- Sérgio São João (Valora) presented a real-world case study on full traceability and intelligent management in a security printing facility;
- Pedro Paes do Amaral (APIP) promoted a scientific, life-cycle-based approach to plastic use, emphasizing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a key decision-making tool;
- Sante Conselvan (FTA Europe) warned of the skills gap as a barrier to the modernization of flexography, calling for deep reform of technical and vocational education;
- Pablo Serrano (ASPACK e Kolokio) delivered a detailed overview of challenges and opportunities in the Iberian labeling and carton packaging sectors, with a special focus on SMEs.
During the lunch break and coffee intervals, participants were invited to explore the Sistrade Software Technology Showcase and the Industry 4.0 Showcase, offering hands-on demonstrations of practical digital solutions.
In the afternoon, the conference transitioned into specialized workgroup sessions, enabling in-depth discussions around the future challenges in printing, flexible packaging, and security printing. Speakers included: Teresa Borba, Managing Director, APIGRAF; Mohammed Ahmed Hamad, ERP Expert, QSPP; Krzysztof Skrobot, Director, Polish Chamber of Flexographers; Urbano Leal, Operations Director, Vizelpas; Ehsan Salem, Software Solutions Manager, G+D.
The event concluded with a keynote by Fábio Coelho, Head of Development at SISTRADE, where he outlined the company’s strategic focus on sustainability, automation, and intelligent integration. Coelho highlighted the launch of the Sistrade New Platform, featuring over 1,000 new, customizable, and mobile-friendly features that enhance real-time data access and user experience. He also introduced the Atlas AI initiative, bringing intelligent tools such as chat-based support, context-aware assistance, AI-driven analytics, and secure task and document management—all fully developed in-house to ensure data privacy. With this roadmap, SISTRADE reinforces its role as a leading force in the digital transformation of the printing and packaging industry.
The day ended on a high note with a sunset Douro River cruise, followed by a celebratory toast on the hotel terrace, marking 25 years of SISTRADE’s journey in the industrial software sector.
SISTRADE extends its sincere thanks to all participants, partners, and speakers who contributed to the success of this memorable conference and reaffirms its commitment to transforming the global graphic and packaging industry through innovation.
