Ultimate Packaging partners with Kodak at Ipex

Av Ratanaporn B. Jakobsen

Ultimate Packaging, one of the UK's independent flexographic print suppliers to the food industry is achieving significant success in the packaging sector using the Kodak Flexcel NX Digital Flexographic System.  

Demonstrating its impact on the industry, the company recently won the Gold award at the European Flexographic Technical Association (EFTA) awards for 'Best First Time Entrant' for a project undertaken for Young's Seafood and a Silver accolade for 'Promotional Print' for Kodak USA. At Ipex 2010, Ultimate Packaging was partner with Kodak and demonstrated samples on Kodak's stand E320 including designs for Young's Prawns and Seafood.

Located on a greenfield site at Europarc on the outskirts of Grimsby in the UK, a town renowned for its links with food processing, the 60,000 sq.ft. Ultimate Packaging factory was designed and built with consultancy from leading supermarket chains, retailers and food manufacturers and in cooperation with experts in industrial hygiene, environmental management, quality assurance and production efficiency. In setting the highest standards in manufacturing excellence, technical standards and certification Ultimate Packaging has adopted the latest innovations in print and conversion technology.

Ultimate Packaging has spent the past twelve months working closely with Kodak to develop, test and integrate the Flexcel NX System into their systems and production lines. Ultimate Packaging is focused on expanding its customer base in this sector. Chris Tonge, Sales and Marketing Director at Ultimate Packaging states, "Currently around 70% of our output is for the fresh produce industry. This means we are working in an arena of competitive design, immediate decisions and extremely tight deadlines. We have developed a range of ULTI-FRESH films, designed to increase the shelf-life of fresh produce.

Chris Tonge explains, "With Kodak's innovative technology we are committed to converting brand owners away from the traditional gravure process by demonstrating the ability to produce cost effective, amazing photographic print and multiple designs with flexography using the Flexcel NX System. We've already introduced our first commercial range of 30 designs for one of our existing branded customers. Designed specifically with flexible packaging in mind, Kodak Digicap P NX Screening takes Flexcel NX Digital Flexographic Plates to a new level. Additionally we have developed a brand new ink system. Kodak's clever technology has helped to make huge ink efficiencies possible and also expanded the colour gamut."

The Flexcel NX System has enabled Ultimate Packaging to reach high levels of quality print in the demanding food packaging sector. This is maximizing their business opportunities. Chris Tonge continues, "We are pushing the boundaries of flexo print with the Flexcel NX System. Kodak's digital flexographic innovation allows us to 'Do More with Flexo' We are driving increased revenues through differentiated print, reducing costs through production efficiencies and increasing sustainability through reduction in printed substrate waste. With FlexcelL NX Plates, Ultimate Packaging can enable brand owners to finally achieve the print quality and consistency of roto-gravure with all the convenience and flexibility of flexography."