Press Release
Live production and Tech Talks highlight automation-driven plate-to-print workflows ahead of Interpack 2026
Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 20 February 2026 – On May 5–6, 2026, the Sustainable Flexo Symposium will demonstrate—with live printing—how modern, automated CI flexographic printing delivers consistent, gravure-level results on recycled and mono-material substrates.
As Europe’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) accelerates the shift toward circular materials and higher recycled content, converters and brand owners are seeking production-ready solutions capable of ensuring stability and repeatability.
Hosted at Follmann’s Technology & Knowledge Centre in Minden, Germany, the symposium features live CI flexo production at Allstein in Herford using water-based inks. Taking place immediately ahead of Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, the two-half day English-language event brings together leading technology partners from across the flexo value chain to present a fully integrated, automation-driven workflow for sustainable flexible packaging.
Designed as a hands-on sustainable flexo symposium, the event focuses on real production jobs, measurable process stability and repeatable print results.
As packaging producers increasingly incorporate PCR content, thinner materials and mono-material designs, converters are facing increasing demands in process stability, colour consistency and print quality. The symposium presents CI flexography as a production-ready process capable of delivering stable, repeatable results on mechanically sensitive and recycled film structures traditionally associated with gravure printing.
Live demonstrations will include reverse and surface printing on transparent OPP, MDO-PE, PCR-based PE films and paper packaging materials. The workflow integrates water-wash plate technology (Solvent ZERO), water-based inks, precision anilox technology and automated plate-to-print processes designed to ensure repeatability and industrial reliability.
Complementing the live production demonstrations, the expert Tech Talks will focus on sustainable film structures (including PCR and mono-material designs), inspection and quality control for recyclates, and integrated automation workflows across the flexo ecosystem.
The program brings together leading suppliers across the flexo ecosystem—prepress, plates, inks, substrates, anilox, inspection and press automation—including Esko, Asahi Photoproducts, Follmann, Pamarco, PetroPlast, OCS, Tesa and Allstein.
By combining live production with cross-industry technical exchange, the international Sustainable Flexo Symposium provides a practical framework for how flexographic printing can support the transition toward regulation-aligned, circular flexible packaging production. The event is positioned to share knowledge between suppliers, converters and brand owners to prepare for a sustainable CI flexo value chain ahead of Interpack 2026.
Participation is free of charge upon confirmation. Registration and the detailed agenda are available via the official event page. Converters, brand owners and press representatives are invited to register in advance.
About Asahi Photoproducts
Founded in 1973, Asahi Photoproducts is a subsidiary of the Asahi Kasei Corporation, established in Japan in 1922. Asahi Photoproducts is a pioneer in the development of photopolymer flexo printing plates, committed to advancing flexographic printing through high-quality solutions and cutting-edge technologies.
Our flexo plates are engineered to deliver outstanding print quality while reducing waste in production and enabling faster press speeds for higher overall efficiency. These advancements are driven by our long-term sustainability strategy, focused on reducing solvent use and promoting a complete switch to water-wash technology.
We believe that sustainable innovation is key to the future of print – and we support our customers in being trailblazers in achieving both environmental and production goals.
More information is available at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.
Contact
Dr. Dieter Niederstadt
Asahi Photoproducts Europe n.v./s.a.
dieter.niederstadt@asahi-photoproducts.com
+49(0)2301 946743
