Flexo Summit Asia 2026 concluded at Hilton Bengaluru after two days of technical discussions, knowledge exchange and industry networking, bringing together key stakeholders from across the flexographic printing and packaging ecosystem.
Held on August 5–6 under the theme “FLEXO NEXT – Thinking Beyond Print,” the summit brought together 340 printers, converters and brand owners, more than 60 speakers, 30+ partners and over 18 knowledge-led sessions. The programme explored the evolving role of flexography amid growing emphasis on process excellence, automation, sustainability, standardisation, coatings, operational efficiency and workforce development.
The event provided a common platform for printers, converters, brand owners, equipment manufacturers, prepress specialists, ink and coating experts, material suppliers, technology providers and industry leaders to exchange experiences and discuss the future direction of flexographic printing.
Flexo Icon Award Recognises Vijay Mehta
A key highlight of the 2026 edition was the presentation of the Flexo Icon Award to Vijay Mehta of Mehta Flex. The award recognised his longstanding contribution, leadership and influence within the flexographic printing industry.
Introduced as an ongoing initiative of Flexo Summit Asia, the Flexo Icon Award is expected to continue in future editions, recognising individuals whose knowledge, leadership and contribution have supported the growth and development of flexography.
Day One Highlights Global Flexographic Trends
The first day brought an international perspective to the summit through the session “Global Flexo Pulse: Insights from FTA Leaders Across Regions.”
Moderated by Hersh Lulla, Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific Region, Miraclon, the panel featured Sante Conselvan, President, FTA Global Alliance and FTA Europe; Mustafa Kemal Bağdatlı, FTA Europe; Eric Oh, FTA Indonesia; Suhas Kulkarni, FTA Global Alliance, South Asia; and Benjamin Daniel, FTA Global Alliance, MEA.
The discussion examined the evolution of flexography across different markets, highlighting regional opportunities and challenges while emphasising the importance of knowledge sharing and cooperation within the global flexographic community.
The participation of FTA representatives from multiple regions also strengthened the summit’s objective of connecting India’s flexographic industry with international developments, market experiences and emerging practices.
6 Sigma of Flexo Masterclass Focuses on Process Excellence
Day Two moved towards technical and application-oriented learning with the 6 Sigma of Flexo Masterclass, which emerged as one of the key programme highlights.
The masterclass explored the interconnected variables that influence quality, consistency, productivity and efficiency in flexographic printing. Instead of examining production stages independently, the session encouraged participants to view flexography as an integrated process in which control over individual variables contributes to greater predictability and repeatability.
Measurement, process control, standardisation and informed decision-making formed key elements of the discussion. The session demonstrated how stronger process discipline can help reduce variations and improve overall press performance.
The masterclass also reflected the summit’s wider focus on combining technological capabilities with process knowledge and human expertise.
Brand Owners Discuss Sustainability Challenges
Sustainability was another important focus of Flexo Summit Asia 2026, with an exclusive brand owners-only session providing a dedicated environment for discussions around packaging sustainability.
Brand representatives exchanged views on changing sustainability expectations and the challenges of converting commitments into packaging solutions that are functional, scalable and commercially viable.
The discussion highlighted the need for stronger collaboration throughout the packaging value chain. Material selection, print performance, recyclability and functionality increasingly require coordinated efforts among brand owners, converters, printers, material suppliers and technology providers.
By giving brand owners a dedicated platform, the summit connected sustainability ambitions with the operational and commercial realities of packaging production.
Connecting the Entire Flexographic Ecosystem
Beyond individual sessions, the summit’s major outcome was the interaction it facilitated among different segments of the flexographic value chain.
Printers and converters had opportunities to engage directly with equipment manufacturers, prepress specialists, ink and coating companies, material suppliers, technology providers, brand owners and industry experts.
Through presentations, panel discussions, masterclasses and networking sessions, participants exchanged practical experiences, discussed industry challenges and explored potential solutions. The conversations continued beyond the formal programme, creating opportunities for new business relationships and ongoing knowledge exchange.
Commenting on the conclusion of the event, Anil Arora, Director, ReEnvision Events Pvt. Ltd., said:
“Flexography is evolving rapidly, and no single part of the value chain can drive that transformation alone. Flexo Summit Asia was created to bring the entire ecosystem into one room, encourage open conversations and enable the industry to learn from each other. What stood out in Bengaluru was the willingness to share knowledge, discuss challenges honestly and collaborate on what comes next. That is exactly the kind of industry dialogue we want this platform to continue building.”
Flexo Summit Asia Announces FLEXO 5.0
Looking ahead, Flexo Summit Asia unveiled the theme for its next chapter: “FLEXO 5.0 – Human Expertise, AI Intelligence.”
The upcoming edition will examine the growing intersection of human expertise and intelligent technologies as artificial intelligence, automation, data and connected production systems become increasingly important to the printing and packaging industry.
FLEXO 5.0 is expected to explore how emerging technologies can complement the knowledge, judgement and experience of professionals across the flexographic value chain, positioning technology and human expertise as complementary forces in the industry’s next phase of development.
With its focus on collaboration, technical knowledge, sustainability and digital transformation, Flexo Summit Asia 2026 reinforced the importance of bringing the complete flexographic ecosystem together to address the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of printing and packaging.
