La Iberian Association of Continuous Label Manufacturers It prepares for its members a comprehensive study of the economic and financial situation of the sector, which brings together almost 7.000 professionals with a turnover approaching 1.100 billion euros.
The study shows that the continuous labeling sector in the Iberian Peninsula maintains stable growth and figures that indicate its solvency and ability to adapt to a general economic situation of uncertainty that has settled in global markets in recent years.
The latest benchmarking study presented by AIFEC is a comprehensive economic analysis of the sector in Spain and Portugal, based on real data from official sources and with a segmentation by company size that allows for a precise and operational view of the market.
According to the report, in 2024 the sector registered a 4% growth in turnover, reaching 884 million euros in Spain, with a total of 4.995 people employed.
In Portugal, the sector's turnover stood at 192 million euros, with 1.783 workers, which puts the total employment of the Iberian market close to 7.000 professionals.
A sector with a balanced business structure.
The study highlights a diversified business structure within the continuous labeling sector.
Larger companies account for 42,5% of the market share, followed by medium-sized companies with 33,5%, while small companies represent the remaining 24%, reflecting a balanced industrial fabric.
In the economic sphere, the report shows that the average wage cost has continued to rise, especially in small businesses, which has had a moderate impact on productivity levels.
As a result, both the average profit for the year and EBITDA have improved, reflecting the sector's ability to maintain its profitability in a still demanding cost environment.
Furthermore, the study highlights a significant improvement in liquidity and solvency ratios, indicating that most companies in the sector are in a solid financial position to meet their commitments and continue investing in their development.
Positive evolution in the last quarter of 2025
AIFEC has also presented the results of the quarterly survey of the continuous label manufacturing sector in the Iberian market, corresponding to the period October-December 2025.
The survey represents 54% of the total turnover of the Iberian market, which allows for a reliable picture of the recent evolution of the sector.
During the last quarter of 2025, the sector recorded a 3% increase in turnover and a 5% increase in square meters processed, confirming a positive evolution of productive activity.
Regarding the outlook for the coming months, 63% of companies believe that activity will remain stable, while 25% anticipate an improvement, reflecting a cautious but optimistic view on the evolution of the market.
The sector operates in an environment marked by global geopolitical instability, including the war in the Middle East, increased trade tensions and protectionism in some international markets, as well as volatile oil prices, which impact logistics and raw material costs. Despite these external pressures, data from the label sector show stable and resilient growth, in line with the European trend.
