The Guardians Newpaper: Why Flexo is Key to a Sustainable Printing Industry

Source: The Guardian Newspaper – By Abubakar Ibrahim
Date: 5th August 2025

Why Flexo is Key to Sustainable Printing Industry

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s printing industry are pushing for more sustainable practices as they raise concerns over the declining demand for offset printing, particularly among adults.

With the global shift toward digital media, they say embracing eco-friendly technologies like flexographic (flexo) printing is key to keeping the industry alive and competitive.

They noted that while the market for exercise books remains robust due to school-age children, adult readers are increasingly abandoning printed materials for digital formats.

The concerns were voiced at the Executive Seminar on Flexographic Printing and Packaging, themed “Unlocking Profitability and Sustainability Through Flexo,” held in Lagos.

Guenter Franz, CEO of VIP-System Group, highlighted the decline in offset printing orders worldwide, describing it as a pressing challenge.

“The market for school books is still strong because children use them,” Franz said. “But as they grow older, they prefer digital content over print. This shift is a global trend and a real issue.”

Franz emphasised the potential of flexographic printing to revitalise the industry, especially through packaging.

“Flexo offers cost savings and is environmentally friendly. It’s one of the ways we aim to draw younger generations into the printing space,” he added.

Princess Funmilayo Bakare-Okeowo, Managing Director of FAE Limited, described flexo as a lifeline for printers navigating the digital age.

“With digitalisation, many question the relevance of printing,” she said. “But flexo is how the industry stays modern and competitive. It helps cut costs and is eco-friendly. Now is the time to embrace it.”

Olakunle Ogunjobi, Technical Director at Randomsoft Limited, also underscored the sustainability and profitability benefits of flexo.

He noted that while traditional offset printing remains dominant, flexo provides a more affordable and environmentally conscious alternative.

“The cost of acquiring this flexo technology is around 60 percent of offset printing,” he explained. “It’s a smart solution for packaging and a sustainable future.”

The consensus from the seminar was clear: flexo represents both an economic and ecological path forward for Nigeria’s printing industry.