UK-based recyclable flexible packaging pioneer Eco Flexibles is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted, not once, but twice in the Digital Labels & Packaging Awards 2024.
This has seen the business named as a finalist in the ‘Application excellence – primary packaging’ category and be put up for ‘Best new company’ at the annual awards competition.
Eco Flexibles was the first company outside of Japan to install a Fujifilm Jet Press FP790 to produce flexible packaging digitally using water-based inkjet, at flexo levels of productivity with gravure levels of quality, coupled with the agility and flexibility of digital. This investment is already reaping rewards with strong demand from the marketplace.
This has been further ratified with the double nomination in the Digital Labels & Packaging Awards 2024, which are a celebration of the latest and greatest uses of digital technology to manufacture labels and packaging.
Eco Flexible’s first nomination comes in the ‘Application excellence – primary packaging’ category, for its work with dried fruit and nut snack brand Whitworths on its ‘Mission Nutrition’ project. Targeted at making consumers aware of the nutritional advantages of the range of products and the benefits of incorporating these into their daily diet, this required a revitalisation of Whitworths’ product packaging. The result saw the creation of an eye-catching flexible packaging range that was simple to produce in high volumes and recyclable. Some 15 vibrant and punchy designs were produced, with a high level of detail and strong colour fidelity. All are manufactured using mono polyolefin structures, whilst water-based inks and solventless recyclable adhesives enhance the sustainability characteristics of these high-end yet accessible packs. On a practical level, sign-off of the packs took place in one day, with all 15 designs printed in an hour on the press and approved by all stakeholders the same day.
Simon Buswell, sales and marketing director at Eco Flexibles, says: “This collaboration between Eco Flexibles and Whitworths shows how recyclable packaging excellence can be made simple. The project is also a prime example of how inkjet digital technologies, backed by leading expertise, can rapidly accelerate many of the classic industry sticking points – such as proofing, adjustments and approval – and deliver a new level of production agility. We are delighted to have this recognised by the judges of the Digital Labels & Packaging Awards 2024.”
Having installed the Jet Press FP790 in autumn 2023 and successfully putting the press through its paces over the following months, Eco Flexibles is also proud to be named as a finalist in the ‘Best new company’ category. Whilst the company was established in 2019 as a network-based supply chain partner, business quickly grew to the point that investment to establish in-house capabilities became an inevitability. So began the collaboration with Fujifilm that is seeing Eco Flexibles make big waves in flexible packaging using the Jet Press FP790 platform.
Simon adds: “Having started on our own direct journey with digital flexible packaging in the not-too-distant past, being recognised as one of the best new companies to enter this highly competitive and fast-paced market in the last year is testament to the work we are doing to innovate and disrupt the market; not only with cutting-edge technology but through the high level of service and support we off to our customers.”
He concludes: “Being named as a finalist twice in the Digital Labels & Packaging Awards 2024 is a great honour and we look forward to celebrating with the other finalists at the awards ceremony.”
To learn more about Eco Flexibles and its activities, please visit www.ecoflexibles.com.
