Eco Flexibles, a UK headquartered sustainable flexible packaging specialist, has successfully installed the first-ever Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 outside of Japan, marking another significant leap forward in the company’s commitment to innovation and quality.

Working closely with retailers, brand owners, and food manufacturers, Eco Flexibles develops recyclable monopolymer flexible and paper-based packaging solutions that provide equivalent or improved performance over incumbent mixed plastic designs.

Located at the company’s new state-of-the-art 40,000 square-foot factory in Northampton, the investment in the Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 further enhances the company’s sustainability focus by using water-based inks. Unlike conventional digital presses that rely on toners and electrographic inks, the FP790’s use of water-based inks ensures enhanced performance while further driving down carbon impact.

“This is a transformative moment for the flexible packaging industry in the UK, and for us as a business,” states David Smith, general manager at Eco Flexibles. “Our mission is to make recyclable monopolymer and paper packaging more accessible for brand owners, and with this multi-million pound investment, we’re providing our customers with digital press technology with all the benefits that attracts – very short run and variable data printing, fast turnaround and outstanding graphic performance that more than rivals traditional analog print techniques. We are setting a new benchmark in quality and sustainability.”

The FP790 installed by Eco Flexibles offers excellent versatility, capable of printing on film and paper. With a 790mm-wide capacity, the machine is a formidable addition to Eco Flexibles’ production capabilities.

Eco Flexibles can now achieve:

• Class-leading production speeds of up to 75 m/m, with no make-ready and changeover downtime
• Extended gamut – more than 90% of Pantone colors without more costly spot color inks
• Water-based inks with up to 1200 dpi resolution for sharp, high-quality images
• An integrated inspection tower for real-time quality control
• Reductions in lead times, thanks to the elimination of platemaking requirements

David adds, “There’s a good reason that Fujifilm is such an established and respected name in print, and it’s why we feel so comfortable investing in the first machine of its kind in Europe. We are in a sustainability-centric market where ‘good enough’ is no longer good enough for brands; we must be constantly pushing harder for lower carbon emissions and higher quality. Eco Flexibles has been a pioneer in many ways, and with our latest investment, we’re further driving home the message that sustainable flexible packaging doesn’t need to be a concession or come with sacrifices. With a partner like Eco Flexibles in your corner, you can truly have it all.”

Manuel Schrutt, head of packaging, Fujifilm EMEA, comments, “We are delighted to announce the first installation of the Jet Press FP790, outside of Japan. The launch of this innovative press marked an exciting time for us in terms of evolving our range of digital packaging solutions. Our expertise within inkjet technology has now been adapted to meet the requirements of the mainstream flexible packaging market. We look forward to seeing how the investment helps Eco Flexibles to grow their business further, and showcasing this at our very own Packaging Open House.”

In addition to the FP790 installation, Eco Flexibles has also revealed that its multi-million pound investment incorporates complementary equipment, including best in class Nordmeccannica laminators and ASHE slitting lines. These inline enhancements will streamline production and deliver even more performance to the company’s growing client roster.