Eco Flexibles, a sustainability-focused flexible packaging specialist, has signed on for a second Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 inkjet digital flexible packaging press, following on from unprecedented demand from customers for the platform.
The news was announced today in Düsseldorf at Drupa 2024, the world's leading trade fair for print technologies.
The Northampton-based printing company became the first outside of Japan to install the water-based inkjet digital press, which is located at its newly opened 40,000 ft2 production site and headquarters. Now less than 12 months later, a second order has been placed.
The Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 prints CMYK+WW at 50m/min, with a 1200x1200 dpi resolution. Two digital white channels can achieve an opacity of 55-58%. Handling substrates up to 790mm in width, the press is targeted at industrial-scale digital flexible packaging production, combining the throughput of flexo with the quality of gravure and the flexibility of digital.
Mainstream digital flexible packaging production is a rapidly advancing market, being progressed by both new technologies and evolving market needs and demands. It is this market that Eco Flexibles has sought to target and which it has successfully appealed to having made its initial investment a little over a year ago.
Since completing the Beta test phase with the press and commercialising the production process, Eco Flexibles has experienced first-hand the level of appetite and demand in the market from brand owners for the capabilities of such technology. These include customers big and small, operating in markets as diverse as confectionery, snacks, protein and fresh produce, where speed to market is paramount. Brands are using Eco Flexibles’ digital flexible packaging manufacturing capability to produce runs from 1,000 Sq.M to 20,000 Sq.M.
Simon Buswell, sales and marketing director at Eco Flexibles said: “2024 is proving to be quite the year for Eco Flexibles. We made a significant investment in our first Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 last year and now, not even 12 months later, we have experienced such significant growth that has put us in the position to order a second press.”
The first press exists at the heart of an overall digital flexible packaging production environment, including slitting and lamination. This allows Eco Flexibles to further capitalise on the true benefits of the print technology and serve an ever-growing customer base. This has now required the company to invest in an addition FP790 press, to provide additional printing capacity on its production floor.
Simon adds: “Our mission has always been to make recyclable monopolymer and paper packaging more accessible for brand owners, and we are delivering just that. We’re reinforcing the fact that sustainable flexible packaging doesn’t require compromise or sacrifices.”
Manuel Schrutt, Head of Packaging, Fujifilm EMEA comments: “We are delighted to see the significant growth Eco Flexibles has experienced since installing their first Fujifilm Jet Press FP790. It’s exciting to be on the journey with them and share their success. A second order in such a short time frame is testament to the first-class work ethic of their highly skilled team, combined with our expertise in inkjet technology. It’s a perfect match that is exceeding customer expectations for digital flexible packaging solutions.”
