As a result of the alliance, which could challenge EskoArtwork's dominance in the sector, Arden's Impact structural design software will be integrated with Kodak's Prinergy Powerpack workflow.

The two companies have signed a collaborative marketing and selling agreement to sell and implement their complementary product portfolios including Kodak's CTP, proofing products and consumables.

Steve Miller, packaging workflow product manager at Kodak, said that the deal had been struck in response to the growing need for structural design software to "facilitate product redesign and prototyping".

"The alliance is intended to address this trend and help brand owners and package printers bring redesigned products to market more quickly," he added.

UK-headquartered Arden's Impact structural design package features intuitive drawing tools, a library of pre-programmed and reusable design styles, an intelligent layout feature and realistic 3D TruView modelling capabilities.

Miller said: "Kodak is excited to tie Arden's Impact structural design applications with Kodak Solutions, offering customers a seamless workflow solution from product design through to print production."

Martin Poynter, managing director of Arden Software, added: "By focusing on the customers' needs to streamline their operations and improve efficiencies, we see this alliance as providing world-class solutions that enable packaging companies to optimise their business performance."

The announcement followed the recent establishment of Arden Software North America in Park City, Utah. Jim Silianoff, president of the North American operation, said that the deal underlined Arden's commitment to becoming "the undisputed leader" in its markets.