Screen’s Truepress PAC 830F has reached a major commercial milestone, with Japan’s Chiyoda Gravure completing the world’s first full-scale installation of the water-based digital inkjet packaging press.
The move signals growing momentum for sustainable, short-run flexible packaging production, with the technology now delivering faster setup, reduced waste and greater production flexibility for brands.
The flexible packaging market has experienced a growing requirement to expand high-mix, lower-volume production as consumer needs have diversified and product life cycles have become shorter.
As societies, especially in Australia and New Zealand, push to become more sustainable, there is a growing demand to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing processes and optimise resource utilisation. Because it uses water-based inks, the PAC 830F is uniquely positioned to address these sustainability issues.
The PAC 830F also eliminates the need for photopolymer platemaking and gravure cylinders, with associated chemicals.
Capable of very short runs and multiple versions, it also greatly reduces wastage and package redundancy. Set-up times for jobs have been reduced by 70 per cent over conventional methods, according to the company.
Furthermore, the industry is facing an urgent need to address challenges such as rising raw material costs, faster time to market, and emerging procurement risks, as well as social issues including shortages of human resources.
Based on these challenges, Chiyoda Gravure has completed the setup of equipment and quality verification for commercial production. The company can now accept orders for production using digitally-printed flexible packaging, focusing primarily on small to medium runs on standard PE and PP films.
“We are working to upgrade our production capabilities in response to the trend toward high mix, low volume production and the growing demand for environmental sustainability,” said Hiroyoshi Sato, president of Chiyoda Gravure.
“Our introduction of the Truepress PAC 830F has enabled us to establish a flexible production system complementing our existing gravure printing operations.
“Going forward, we aim to leverage the unique advantages of digital printing to offer new value. We believe this will make a significant contribution to the growth of our clients’ businesses.”
Chiyoda Gravure’s new ‘smaart’ branding
Chiyoda Gravure’s printed products and related services using digital technology as a solution are now branded ‘Eco Smaart’.
This is an initiative to deliver new value through digital, solvent-free printing and it is designed to meet market needs such as those for high mix, low volume production, shorter lead times, optimised inventory, and reduced environmental impact. Screen’s Truepress PAC 830F is part of the Eco Smaart initiative.
Looking forward, the plan is to establish an optimal production model that effectively combines digital and traditional gravure printing, with a goal of achieving a digital printing output of around 10 per cent by 2030.
The two companies will work to build a production system that is capable of meeting diverse client needs, while contributing to the sustainable development of the flexible packaging industry.
“We are delighted that Chiyoda Gravure has begun full-scale operation using our Truepress PAC 830F. We specifically developed this press as a solution to support digitalisation and environmental sustainability in the flexible packaging market,” said Hiromi Sakurai, president of Screen Graphic Solutions.
“Moving forward, we will continue to collaborate with our clients to create new market value and contribute to the realisation of a more sustainable printing industry.”
Screen packaging presses are sold through Jet Technologies in Australia and New Zealand.
“I have monitored the co-development of the PAC 830F at Chiyoda Gravure for some time and already we have had Australian flexible packaging printers travel to Japan to see this press in action,” explained Peter Scott, managing director of Screen GP Australia.
“The interest is high, as we are certain to emulate Europe’s industry transition toward solvent-free, water-based and food-safe inks, as converters face tightening rules on traditional VOC-heavy chemical usage.”
