ePac expands digital fleet with first HP Indigo 200K in Europe

ePac Flexible Packaging has installed an HP Indigo 200K digital press in Sheffield, UK, as part of its European expansion plans. This installation marks the first HP Indigo 200K press at an ePac site in EMEA, building on the six HP Indigo 200K presses already operating successfully across ePac's US network.

This deployment reinforces ePac’s multiyear strategic agreement with HP to convert its flexible packaging fleet to HP’s Indigo 200K digital press. It represents a key milestone in the company’s expansion strategy for EMEA.

Founded in the US in 2016 with one HP Indigo press producing 5,000 pouches per month, ePac has since grown into a global packaging innovator, now delivering over one million pouches monthly and consistently achieving annual growth rates above 50 percent, showcasing its consistent upward trajectory in the market.

ePac Silverstone, the company’s first UK site, opened in 2019, marking the beginning of its European expansion. Today, ePac operates five production sites across Europe and the UK, with locations in France, Poland, Austria and two in the UK, including the latest addition, ePac Sheffield.

Central to that transformation is HP Indigo’s digital print technology. With the HP Indigo 200K, ePac Sheffield is able to meet dynamic brand demands with shorter turnaround times, richer customisation and stronger environmental credentials.

The additional capacity and productivity will help ePac maintain its steady growth by continuing to deliver flexible, short lead-time packaging.

The expansion is designed with regional complexity in mind. According to ePac, Europe presents a uniquely fragmented flexible packaging landscape, characterized by linguistic diversity and varying regulatory frameworks.

ePac’s centralised yet scalable model, powered by HP Indigo, offers the versatility needed to operate a cross-regional network with guaranteed colour calibration and quality consistency across geographies. This model has been critical for serving businesses in need of fast turnaround, short-run and high-SKU flexible packaging. The focus now is on driving awareness and adoption of ePac’s digitally enabled model within European markets, while also drawing strength from its proven success in the US.

HP said the Indigo 200K delivers a 30 percent increase in speed and a 45 percent improvement in productivity compared to its predecessor, with gravure-matching quality, a broad ElectroInk portfolio and agility in handling surface and reverse printing. These enhanced capabilities open the door to new applications and advanced brand protection features, enabling ePac to scale efficiently without compromising the core strengths of its offering.

The European Union’s recent ratification of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has imposed new guidelines for sustainability. ePac has embraced the regulation as a catalyst for meaningful change. The company has upgraded its packaging specifications to recommend recyclable flexible packaging structures and advises its customers on regulatory packaging compliance.

One example is WestLab, a wellness brand based in the UK. As one of the first customers introduced to the new HP Indigo 200K press, WestLab has leveraged ePac’s European network for scale and agility.

Sean Daly, CEO of Westlab, said: ‘Working with ePac has been a game changer for Westlab. Fast turnaround times allow us to respond quickly to market demands, while fee-free setup and the ability to accommodate both large and short runs provides the flexibility we need to manage our stocks efficiently. The consistent print quality and color reproduction from the HP Indigo 200K Digital Press ensure that our packaging always looks sharp and on-brand. We're also proud to be ePac’s first customer to use the latest press of HP Indigo, another step forward in our commitment to innovation and excellence.’

Johnny Hobeika, managing director of ePac Holdings Europe, said: ‘HP Indigo remains integral to our mission. Their technology has enabled us to grow from a single-site operation to a pan-European network. This latest investment is not just a tech upgrade; it’s a reaffirmation of our shared vision for high-quality flexible packaging. We have witnessed firsthand the ways in which digital print has transformed communities and created new economies in recent years. Now, with our focus on expanding in the EMEA region, we’re building momentum and unlocking new opportunities for brands ready to embrace digital.’

Noam Zilbershtain, vice president and general manager at HP Indigo, added: ‘The strategic agreement announced by ePac at drupa is more than a vision - it’s already becoming reality. The excitement around the first HP Indigo 200K installation in their European facilities underscores our strong collaboration and shared goal to redefine the flexible packaging industry. This milestone marks a significant leap forward, bringing advanced technology, innovation and unparalleled service to customers across Europe.’