At its Peak Performance Print event, taking place this week at the Fujifilm Print Experience Centre in Ratingen, Germany, the manufacturer revealed that it has in the last week closed a successful beta trial that began last August at Northampton-based Eco Flexibles.

The company has subsequently confirmed its investment in the digital flexible packaging press, which is now fully commercially released to the market.

Eco Flexibles has been a Fujifilm Flenex FW plates customer for several years and has now expanded its investments with the manufacturer into digital with the Jet Press, which has been installed at the company’s new 3,716sqm factory.

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

Speaking on the first day of the event yesterday (30 January), Matt Francklow, director at Eco Flexibles, said: “Two years ago we were introduced to the Flenex plates – we’ve been water-wash plates for the last 12 years, and key to that was really down to quality and sustainability – that’s the ethos of our business.

“It was during that journey that I first met Manuel [Schrutt, head of packaging at Fujifilm EMEA], who then dropped into the conversation about the FP790, and that’s where this started.”

David Smith, general manager at Eco Flexibles, also commented: “Unlike conventional digital presses that rely on toners and electrographic inks, the Jet Press FP790 uses water-based inks to ensure superior 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.

“Our mission is to make recyclable mono-polymer 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 attract – very short-run and variable data printing, fast turnaround and outstanding graphic performance that more than rivals traditional analogue print techniques. We are setting a new benchmark in quality and sustainability.”

The Jet Press FP790 installed by Eco Flexibles is capable of printing on film and paper. With a 790mm-wide capacity, the machine offers an extended colour gamut, achieving more than 90% of Pantone colours without using spot colour inks.

It uses water-based inks with 1,200dpi resolution for sharp, high-quality images, and has an integrated inspection tower for real-time quality control. The elimination of setup requirements reduces lead times.

Smith added: “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, and technology such as the Jet Press FP790, you can truly have it all.”

Fujifilm’s Schrutt added: “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.”

The Packaging Open House event will take place at Eco Flexibles’ premises next month. It is invitation only and interest can be registered at:  https://fujifilmprint.eu/lp/packagingopenhouse/.