On May 5–6, 2026, the Sustainable Flexo Symposium will bring converters, brand owners, and technology providers together in Germany for a live demonstration of modern, automated CI flexographic printing on recycled and mono-material substrates.

Hosted at Follmann’s Technology & Knowledge Centre in Minden, Germany, and featuring live production at Allstein in Herford, the two half-day, English-language event will take place immediately ahead of Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf.

The symposium is designed to demonstrate how contemporary CI flexo technology can deliver consistent, gravure-level print quality while meeting the growing demands of sustainability regulations—particularly Europe’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which is accelerating the shift toward circular materials and higher recycled content.

Live CI Flexo Production

At the core of the event will be live CI flexo printing using water-based inks on a range of challenging substrates, including:

• Transparent OPP
• MDO-PE
• PCR-based PE films
• Paper packaging materials

Both reverse and surface printing applications will be showcased. Organizers say the goal is to demonstrate measurable process stability and repeatable results on mechanically sensitive and recycled film structures traditionally associated with gravure printing.

As converters increasingly work with thinner materials, higher PCR content, and mono-material designs, maintaining color consistency and print stability has become more complex. The symposium positions CI flexography as a production-ready solution capable of addressing these challenges through automation and integrated workflow control.

Integrated, Automation-Driven Workflow

The live demonstrations will incorporate a fully integrated workflow, including:

• Water-wash plate technology (Solvent ZERO)
• Water-based ink systems
• Precision anilox technology
• Automated plate-to-print processes
• Inspection and quality control solutions

The event will also feature “Tech Talks” focused on sustainable film structures, inspection and quality control for recyclates, and integrated automation across the flexo ecosystem.

Participating technology partners span the full flexographic value chain, including Esko, Asahi Photoproducts, Follmann, Pamarco, PetroPlast, OCS, Tesa, and Allstein.

By combining live production with cross-industry technical exchange, the Sustainable Flexo Symposium aims to provide a practical roadmap for how flexographic printing can support regulation-aligned, circular flexible packaging production ahead of Interpack 2026.

Participation is free of charge upon confirmation. Registration details and the full agenda are available through the official event page. Converters, brand owners, and press representatives are encouraged to register in advance.