Using DuPont EFE & EFX plates to unlock the sustainable value of reprographics – Creation

As the landscape of print and packaging comes under increasing media scrutiny, it has become more important than ever for brands to demonstrate meaningful change. As sourcing of substrates has advanced apace, and packaging materials choices have become more eco-friendly across the board, many businesses are starting to consider where additional sustainability gains can be made. When it appears that materials are becoming as eco-friendly as they’re going to get until the next major breakthrough, where does the supply chain look for further demonstrable gains?

The drive to change is lent urgency with the incoming regulations powering Net Zero, which will require all businesses operating within the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050. Many independent bodies and organisations are pushing for this to be even sooner – causing concern for brands and suppliers alike.

Particularly significant for FMCG businesses, the key challenge in today’s shifting omnichannel retail world is that while government regulations move in one direction, consumer demands do not necessarily follow suit. For brands to remain profitable, the imperative to reduce waste and keep a keen eye on carbon emissions must be tempered with the rising need to meet the on-the-go lifestyle changes of modern shoppers and the expectation of commercial agility. Modern brands live and die by how readily they meet the needs of their consumers.

In a commercial space that demands flexibility without compromising on sustainability, where do brands find this value? The answer lies within operations, not necessarily materials. Reprographics are an essential part of the packaging origination and design process, turning design excellence into stand out physical packaging. However, the benefits of eco-friendly repro practices are often overlooked by brands.

As a forward-thinking leader in packaging origination, Creation Reprographics has a bird’s eye view of the full value chain, which is why the business invests so readily in eco-friendly technology. The company operates with sustainability at its heart, providing packaging converters and brands with effective innovation at every turn.

As testament to the company’s commitment to sustainable development, Creation has invested in an additional DuPont Cyrel FAST TD4260, the world’s first wide format solvent-free flexographic plate processor. The machine further strengthens the enviable service offering from Creation, providing customers with another tangible competitive advantage.

The DuPont™ Cyrel® FAST EFE and EFX plates that the machine produces form part of the solvent-free plate portfolio available from Creation, which eliminate harmful washout from the origination process, opening up a new avenue for CO2 and waste reduction for brands.

What’s more, rather than balancing quality with responsibility, the plates offer a boost in quality over traditional plate counterparts. The built-in flat top dot thermal processed plates are designed for consistently high-quality printing of halftones, linework and solids, making it a stand-out plate choice for flexible packaging, tags and labels.

Ideally suited for extended colour gamut printing, the plates can be processed in less than an hour without additional drying steps, demonstrating their unique value as plates for agile and flexible businesses.

What separates Creation Reprographics from the pack is a strong commitment to meaningful change for our customers. Where many reprographic service providers offer quick ‘by the numbers’ solutions that can see quality suffer in exchange for speed, the team of packaging design and origination experts at Creation work with customers to find solutions that match their unique business needs. This ensures eco-friendly changes to the packaging supply chain that are significant and most importantly, demonstrable. Creation has witnessed a step change in print results when customers move on to the FAST EFE and EFX plate ranges from their existing digital offering, and in line with market needs, the plates are delivering the essential consistency and improved print characteristics on press.

The technology behind the plates truly speaks to the future of responsible packaging production and platemaking and should make the wider FMCG supply chain sit up take note. In a landscape where environmental credentials are under the microscope and consumers demand choice, quality and immediacy, the plate highlights new opportunity for eco-friendly gains in an area of the supply chain that remains an ‘unsung hero’ of outstanding packaging.