Minimalism is not just a design trend - it is a paradigm shift that is also permanently changing packaging printing. Prof. Dr Martin Dreher, Scientific Director of the DFTA Technology Centre for Flexographic Printing, explains in an interview at FACHPACK 2025 what this change looks like in concrete terms and what opportunities it offers.

A key topic is the feasibility of sustainable materials and mono-material solutions in the printing process. After all, sustainability must not only be ecological, but also economical. This is where digital printing comes into play - especially for smaller print runs and personalised packaging, which are increasingly in demand.

But that's not all: Prof. Dreher will also take a look at new technologies such as artificial intelligence, which is playing an increasingly important role in both quality assurance and process optimisation. And he talks about smart and active packaging concepts that make packaging interactive and more intelligent - with added value for consumers and brands alike.

Last but not least, there is the question of how legal requirements - for example from the EU Packaging Regulation - influence the selection of materials and printing processes. The packaging industry is at a turning point where innovation and regulation must go hand in hand.