FTA Europe is the European umbrella for Flexo

In 1958, FTA was founded in the US as “the world’s leading professional society dedicated to the advancement of the flexographic industry”. In Europe, in the 1970s and 1980s the success formula of FTA resulted in the creation of national mirror organisations, sometimes supported by the American parent organisation. The largest one, DFTA was established in 1979. The established flexo organisations in Europe in turn created the path for flexo organisations in the smaller and emerging regions in Europe.

Although the combined size of the European flexo organisations is comparable to the membership base of their common American ‘parent organisation’ FTA, traditionally the European flexo community is fragmented according to language, national context and business culture.

In 2014, representatives from European flexo organisations decided there were several developments that would justify the establishment of a common European platform. Think about industry consolidation, packaging procurement, packaging decisions which are more and more taken on a corporate European level and the promotion of the competitiveness of Europe by the Europan Union. In response to these developments an European umbrella for Flexo was established: FTA Europe.

• synergies, sharing existing programmes and resources and avoiding duplications to rule out the implications for the membership and therefore resources of flexo assiocations due to the industry consolidation.
• better alignment of programmes, skills and technical competences across national borders and of communication and promotion strategies.
• a professional framework of training, education and joint testing, research and development.
• a common voice towards Brussels and apply for European funding.

FTA Europe represents the common interests of the European flexo industry and also provides a common platform for the European flexo associations to promote European exchange, collaboration and alignment. The office of FTA Europe is in Brussels with Intergraf, the European printing industry federation.

Interested parties can contact us for more information on how to join FTA Europe as a member.