A two-day flexographic printing symposium hosted by Follmann at its Technology and Knowledge Center in Minden, Germany, has demonstrated that high-quality graphics can be successfully printed on transparent PE films containing more than 90% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. The results challenge long-standing industry assumptions that high recycled-content flexible packaging is unsuitable for premium consumer-facing applications.
The Next Generation Sustainable Flexo Symposium, held in May 2026, featured live central-impression (CI) flexographic printing demonstrations at Allstein in Herford. The event brought together leading technology partners including Esko, Asahi Kasei Photoproducts, tesa, Petroplast, Polifilm, Parmarco, OCS Optical Control Systems, and Follmann.
The demonstrations showcased both reverse and surface printing on a variety of sustainable substrates, including transparent OPP films, MDO-PE films, PCR-based PE materials, and paper-based packaging structures. Advanced flexographic technologies such as water-wash plate processing, water-based inks, precision anilox technology, and automated plate-to-press workflows were integrated throughout the trials.
Historically, PCR flexible packaging with high recycled content has been largely restricted to secondary applications such as courier envelopes and transport packaging, where material haze, appearance inconsistencies, and printability challenges limited its use in consumer packaging. The symposium demonstrated that recent advancements in plate technology, screening techniques, press stability, and workflow optimization are significantly improving print performance on recycled-content substrates.
The findings are particularly significant as the packaging industry prepares for upcoming requirements under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which are expected to mandate a minimum recycled content of 30% in packaging by 2030, with progressively higher targets in subsequent years.
A key conclusion from the event was that achieving commercially viable, high-quality printing on sustainable packaging materials is not dependent on a single breakthrough technology. Instead, success requires close collaboration across the entire flexographic value chain—from material suppliers and plate manufacturers to ink producers, press suppliers, and converters.