Eco Flexibles, a sustainability-focused flexible packaging specialist, has invested in its second Jet Press FP790, following the initial sale announced earlier this year. The second investment comes as a result of unprecedented demand from customers for work printed on the company’s existing Jet Press FP790. The news was announced in Düsseldorf at drupa 2024.

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 square-feet production site and headquarters. Now less than 12 months later, a second order has been placed. The first press forms the heart of an overall digital flexible packaging production environment, including slitting and lamination. Fujifilm’s Jet Press FP790 prints CMYK+WW at 50 meters per minute, with a 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution. Two digital white channels can achieve an opacity of 55-58%. Handling substrates up to 790 mm 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 first press and commercializing the production process, Eco Flexibles has experienced first-hand the level of appetite and demand from brand owners for the capabilities of the Jet Press FP790. 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 square meters up to 20,000 square meters.

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 it has put us in the position to order a second press. 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 said, “We are delighted to see the significant growth Eco Flexibles has experienced since installing their first Fujifilm Jet Press FP790. It is exciting to be on the journey with them and share their success. A second order in such a short time frame is a testament to the first-class work ethic of their highly skilled team, combined with our expertise in inkjet technology. It is a perfect match that is exceeding customer expectations for digital flexible packaging solutions.”