Fujifilm and ePac Partner to Scale Water-Based Digital Printing for Flexible Packaging

Fujifilm has announced a global strategic partnership with ePac Flexible Packaging to expand the use of water-based digital inkjet printing technology in flexible packaging manufacturing. The collaboration will introduce Fujifilm's Jet Press FP790 printing system across ePac's international production network, beginning with an installation at the company's new facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The agreement aims to increase high-volume digital printing capacity while supporting shorter production runs, faster delivery and packaging solutions compatible with recyclable material structures.

The Jet Press FP790 is designed for high-volume flexible packaging production and uses food-safe, water-based inks. According to Fujifilm, the system delivers a printing resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi and covers more than 90% of the Pantone colour gamut, supporting consistent print quality across different packaging applications. The technology is also designed to work with recyclable packaging structures, potentially helping manufacturers accommodate changing material requirements without sacrificing print performance. However, the companies have not disclosed specific reductions in emissions, water consumption or material waste associated with the technology.

 

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The partnership will allow ePac to expand beyond its established short-run digital printing model and accommodate larger production volumes. Parag Patel, President of Shared Services at ePac Flexible Packaging, said, "By continuing to integrate leading-edge assets into our fleet, we are significantly increasing our capacity and capability to handle larger run lengths efficiently." The company expects the new technology to help emerging and established brands scale packaging production while maintaining the flexibility associated with digital printing.

Osamu Nakashima, Corporate Vice President of Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp., highlighted the importance of expanding digital technology in flexible packaging manufacturing. "We've put huge emphasis on digital packaging in the latest developments to our portfolio, and our flagship J Press FP790 is engineered specifically to transform flexible packaging manufacturing," he said. The initial deployment in Phoenix will be followed by planned installations across ePac's global network, although the companies have not announced specific expansion timelines or investment figures.

The agreement reflects growing interest in digital packaging systems that can accommodate variable production volumes and evolving packaging material requirements. On-demand digital printing may help manufacturers reduce excess inventory and avoid unnecessary production, depending on how facilities operate and manage orders. The environmental benefits of the partnership will ultimately depend on material selection, recyclability within existing collection systems, production efficiency and the performance of the deployed technology.

 

Source: Fujifilm