XSYS, a global supplier of flexo prepress solutions, has won the FTA’s Sustainability Excellence Award 2025 for the new nyloflex eco printing plates. Positioned as a more sustainable alternative to conventional plates, the nyloflex eco series addresses pressing environmental challenges while maintaining the exceptional print quality and reliable consistency customers have come to expect from XSYS.

The annual FTA Excellence in Flexography Awards is one the flexo industry’s longest running and most prestigious global print competitions. In addition to recognizing printers and converters, awards are also presented to suppliers for excellence in technological innovation and sustainability. The sustainability award specifically commends “technology, formulations, or techniques developed to reduce environmental impact of printing” and is evaluated on the “benefits, commitment, leadership, and relevance to the flexographic industry and beyond.”

“We’re delighted to have won the coveted FTA Sustainability Excellence Award 2025. This is another feather in our cap as nyloflex eco plates continue to set new standards by reducing the environmental footprint of flexo,” says James Van Buskirk, technical director North America. “We understand that in today’s highly competitive market, sustainability is absolutely crucial to growth and success. XSYS is committed to pioneering greener solutions for brilliant flexo printing that benefit not only our customers and their clients but also people and the planet.”

XSYS has designed the nyloflex eco series for high-quality flexo printing on absorbent and non-absorbent substrates, including paper, board, and liners, helping to support brand owners’ sustainability goals and their increasing need for fibre-based packaging solutions. The first two plates in the series – nyloflex eco ACT D and nyloflex eco FAC D – are suitable for printing with water- and solvent-based inks in eco-friendly applications such as such as folding cartons and corrugated post-print.

Directly replacing legacy XSYS plates, nyloflex eco plates include up to 29% bio-based raw materials (as verified by independent testing laboratory Normec OWS, in Belgium), reducing the reliance on fossil-based components. Furthermore, the new plates exhibit faster drying capabilities, shortening processing time by as much as 20%. The result is a much more efficient prepress process with less energy being consumed and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The award was presented to XSYS at the FTA Excellence in Flexography Awards Banquet held at this year’s Forum & Infoflex event in Pittsburgh, PA. The winning entries were on display during May 4-7 in the exhibition hall, where XSYS also showcased its full suite of sustainable flexo innovations on its booth.