ePac Flexible Packaging will be installing a HP Indigo 25K digital press in Australia and another in Korea, and has installed two HP Indigo 20000 digital presses in Indonesia to address rising demands in packaging.
The company, which is based entirely on digital printing technology from HP and due to open its doors in Melbourne, expanded its collaboration with HP to bring small and medium sized brands in Asia Pacific innovative packaging solutions to meet rising consumer demand for high value, innovation and print sustainability.
ePac said it chose HP as HP Indigo digital presses power the rise of flexible packaging by giving brands the ability to print any sized packaging with unlimited variation on demand, thus resulting in more operational agility and less manufacturing waste.
It added that this is achieved on top of pinpoint accuracy and consistency of printed colours, giving emerging and big brands the much-needed edge in product design.
From its conception in 2016, ePac has grown to become a digital printing powerhouse with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 80 per cent. In 2020, ePac announced the next stage of global market acceleration with the addition of 26 new HP Indigo digital presses, creating a 76-press global fleet by this year.
Over the past 18 months, HP and ePac have mobilised entry into markets in Asia and Australia.
Both companies attributed a Smithers report, which found that by 2021, the global flexible packaging market is expected to reach a value of US$248.6 billion, at an annual growth rate of 4.1 per cent since 2016. It is forecasted to further grow at a rate of 3.2 per cent to a value of US$291.5 billion in 2026.
As such, they addressed the need to meet rising consumer demand for high value, innovation and print sustainability.
HP APJ Industrial Graphics general manager and director Arnon Goldman said HP recognises the growing importance of flexible packaging as the world shifts its focus to using more sustainable and innovative materials.
“We look forward to enabling more converters like ePac to stay competitive and provide their customers with high-quality packaging solutions,” he said.
“Our goal has always been to innovate with our customers and to bring new value to partners and brands with HP Indigo, enabling them to thrive in the fast-growing industry. We’re happy to bring this to life with ePac and to support them in their journey to transform along with their customers.”
“Our quick turn-around production time, no setup fees and digitalised process from computer to print allow us to enable small and medium sized brands to achieve higher quality packaging with low minimum orders at optimal prices,” ePac Flexible Packaging Australia managing director Jason Brown said.
“This strategic collaboration with HP Inc. has and will enable us to continue transforming the flexible packaging industry, and ultimately continue to be disruptive in new categories to serve more brands and communities not only in Indonesia, but around the world as well.”
Currie Group A/NZ labels and packaging director Mark Daws said since the launch of the HP Indigo 20000 in 2015, there has been considerable uptake of the technology in the region, which in turn has created the shift towards a digital transformation of the flexible packaging industry.
“Clearly there is a need from brands to have a localised supply chain that offers the speed and agility to market that they require in today’s fast-moving world. The investment by ePac in the SPAC region only strengthens this shift, and we look forward to working with the local team in the coming months as they embark on this adventure.” Daws said.
ePac has also announced that Adelia Fine Foods, a local business located in Australia that offers breakfast and snack food options, has turned to ePac to scale its business and take advantage of ePac’s digital offering.
