AVT (Advanced Vision Technology) has formally launched AutoEdit AI in North America, an AI-driven decision engine that classifies logged print defects as salable, non-salable or needing operator review. The software runs after AVT's Helios inspection platform and before automatic waste removal at slitter rewinders, and was first introduced to the market in 2025.
Why this mattersAutomating defect triage addresses a throughput bottleneck in short-run and personalised label production, a growing share of converter output.
- AutoEdit AI was formally launched in North America by AVT last week, having first reached the market in 2025.
- The module runs inside AVT's existing PrintFlow Manager interface, requiring no new station or screen.
- It classifies every logged defect from the Helios inspection platform into salable, non-salable or needing final operator review.
- The system was trained centrally on production data from multiple converters, applications and substrates.
- PrintFlow logs every classification and operator override, creating an audit trail for pharma, food, healthcare and personal-care quality documentation.
Veralto has received Science Based Targets initiative validation for its near-term greenhouse gas reduction targets, the company said on 17 September 2026. New targets include 60% of suppliers holding a science-based target by 2030 and a 61% cut in Scope 3 emissions from use of sold products per USD value added by 2033 versus a 2024 base year. Veralto reiterated an existing target of a 54.6% reduction in combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2033 versus 2023, having already cut Scope 1+2 emissions by 22% since then.
Why this mattersThird-party validation of supply-chain and product-use emissions targets raises pressure on machinery suppliers' own vendor and customer bases to follow suit.
- SBTi validated Veralto's near-term GHG emissions reduction targets, announced 17 September 2026.
- New target: 60% of suppliers to have a science-based target by 2030.
- New target: 61% reduction in Scope 3 emissions from use of sold products per USD value added by 2033, versus a 2024 base year.
- Existing target: 54.6% reduction in combined Scope 1+2 emissions by 2033 versus a 2023 base year, first announced in 2024.
- Veralto has cut total Scope 1+2 emissions by 22% since 2023 through renewable energy adoption and fleet electrification.
- Veralto reports annual sales of approximately USD 5.5bn and around 17,000 employees.
Veralto reported second-quarter 2026 sales growth of 7.6% year on year and adjusted EPS growth of 19.4%, with free cash flow of USD 328m. The company raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to USD 4.35-4.43 per share, an increase of 12%-14%, and completed the bolt-on acquisition of UV water treatment company Alpha UV. Management expects core sales growth to accelerate to 5%-6% in the second half, led by the Water Quality and Product Quality & Innovation segments.
Why this mattersPackaging-line equipment sits in Veralto's PQI segment, which grew core sales 2% in the quarter, well behind the water business driving the guidance upgrade.
- Full-year adjusted EPS guidance raised to USD 4.35-4.43 per share, up 12%-14% year on year.
- Veralto completed the bolt-on acquisition of Alpha UV, a UV water treatment company.
- Q2 2026 total sales grew 7.6% year on year, with core sales growth of 4.2%.
- Core sales rose 5.7% at Water Quality and 2% at Product Quality & Innovation in Q2 2026.
- Adjusted EPS rose 19.4% in the quarter; free cash flow was USD 328m.
- Veralto has repurchased more than 5 million shares for approximately USD 480m so far this year.
Esko has introduced Quartz Thermal Screens (TQ), extending its Quartz screening technology to thermal flexographic plate production, at the Loupe Americas 2026 trade show. The company also previewed forthcoming UV Screens due to launch later in 2026 and showed new WebCenter Pack capabilities including an AI-infused customer portal and integration with GlobalVision's Verify Compare artwork inspection tool.
Why this mattersExtending Quartz screening to thermal and UV plates lets converters standardise print quality across plate types, a factor in flexo's competition with digital printing.
- Quartz Thermal Screens (TQ) made its debut at Loupe Americas 2026
- UV Screens, extending the Quartz approach to UV plate production, are scheduled to launch later in 2026
- WebCenter Pack now integrates GlobalVision's Verify Compare tool for artwork inspection
- Esko added an AI-infused customer portal to WebCenter Pack for job submissions and artwork handling
- The Quartz ecosystem has been shortlisted for the Innovation Award at the Global Label Awards, presented at Loupe
