Fujifilm and ePac Flexible Packaging have officially announced a global strategic partnership, a move set to reshape the landscape of digital flexible packaging production. The agreement mandates the widespread integration of Fujifilm’s J Press FP790 digital inkjet technology into ePac’s expansive international production network.
The collaboration begins in the United States, with the inaugural installation slated for ePac’s new manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona. While the initial phase focuses on this strategic hub, the companies have confirmed plans for a multi-phased rollout that will see the J Press FP790 deployed across ePac’s global operations.
This partnership is a calculated effort to scale ePac’s digital printing capacity. Historically, ePac has built its reputation on the “short-run, on-demand” model, catering primarily to emerging brands. However, by adopting the J Press FP790, the company aims to bridge the gap between its existing agile capabilities and the needs of larger-scale production runs.
“ePac was founded on the belief that digital printing would redefine the global flexible packaging market,” said Parag Patel, president of shared services at ePac Flexible Packaging. “By continuing to integrate leading-edge assets into our fleet, we are significantly increasing our capacity and capability to handle larger run lengths efficiently.” According to Patel, the investment is vital for supporting brands as their packaging requirements evolve, ensuring that ePac can remain a partner of choice even as client order volumes grow.
The Fujifilm J Press FP790, which serves as the centerpiece of this deal, is a water-based digital inkjet press engineered specifically for the complexities of flexible packaging. It boasts a high-resolution output of 1,200 x 1,200 dpi and the ability to reproduce more than 90% of the Pantone color gamut. Beyond its visual precision, the press is designed with sustainability in mind; it utilizes water-based inks suitable for food-safe applications and is fully compatible with recyclable packaging substrates.
Osamu Nakashima, corporate vice president of Fujifilm Business Innovation Corporation, hailed the partnership as a meeting of two industry leaders. “This alliance brings together two powerhouses dedicated to the digital transformation of global packaging,” Nakashima stated. “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.”
For the broader market, this partnership signals a significant shift in production expectations. By combining ePac’s localized, on-demand business model with Fujifilm’s high-volume inkjet performance, the companies aim to drastically reduce lead times. While a specific timetable and list of locations for subsequent installations remain under wraps, the partnership marks a major milestone in the ongoing digital evolution of the global packaging sector.
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