Now that the market for digital production of flexible packaging is starting to take hold, HP has developed the next generation of product that builds on the expertise gained with the 25K as well as their other products and technologies.
Background
According to the Smithers Report The Future of Flexographic Printing Markets to 2027, flexible packaging is the fastest growing packaging application, and for obvious reasons. It can minimize package transport costs between the converter, packer/filler, retailer, and end user. It not only takes up less space when empty than rigid packaging but can also be constructed on the spot from roll materials at the filling location, thereby minimizing transportation of ready-formed, but empty, packaging.
Flexographic flexible packaging is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% to a total output value of $40.86 million in 2027, and during this same period digital printing of flexible packaging is projected to increase a whopping 53+%, as adoption of new digital technology begins to compete with flexographic printing. Putting that growth in perspective, digital label production was introduced in 2008 and projected digital label output volume (physical amount of production) by 2027 still only translates into about 12% of the total volume of label production. When you are starting from a smaller base, even modest growth will be comparably higher. The same growth trajectory holds for the transition of flexible packaging from flexo to digital.
Importantly though, the value of a digital label or flexible packaging is comparably higher to the analog methods, and that is to be expected with all of the other digital packaging applications as well. More importantly, digital production makes short runs and on-demand production much more feasible, and better suited to the shifting consumer purchasing trends in many cases.
To address those demand shifts in flexible packaging, HP has been marketing their 25K Digital Press for flexible packaging since 2020 and has already placed over 300 presses with 200 customers in 50 countries. According to Keren Yakolev, VP Head of Product & Business Development, HP Indigo, “At the end of the day, we see that we are driving the change. Change in our market is never easy and it’s never fast, but we do see the market adoption.”
VIP Event
In order to bring those insights and experience, HP Indigo held a VIP event for over 126 customers from around the globe in Israel March 20–23, 2023. The program included visits to Indigo sites at the Ness Ziona and Kiryat Gat campuses to get a better look at the inside of HP Indigo and where the equipment and supplies are designed and manufactured. In addition, there were educational sessions, panels, and partner exhibits. One of the highlights of the VIP event was the introduction of a new HP Indigo Flexible Packaging press.
Enter HP Indigo 200K
Now that the market for digital production of flexible packaging is starting to take hold, HP has developed the next generation of product that builds on the expertise gained with the 25K as well as their other products and technologies.
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