Toray Plastics joins HP Indigo Pack Ready program

Toray Plastics (America) is the only US manufacturer of polypropylene, polyester, metallized and bio-based films, selected to join the HP Indigo Pack Ready community of film providers.

HP Indigo Pack Ready is a set of post-print technologies for HP Indigo digital presses that enable digital converters and printers to print, laminate and pack on demand for immediate time-to-market. It uses a Karlville laminator, as detailed here, to achieve a zero cure time for laminated flexible packaging. Existing material suppliers as part of the HP Indigo Pack Ready ecosystem including Jindal Films Europe, Cosmo Films and Polyplex.

Toray Plastics is the first US film manufacturer to participate in the program as a single-source provider able to offer North American converters and printers OPP, PET, extrusion-coated OPP and PET, metallized, barrier and sealant print-web film technologies that meet the demands of the flexible packaging and label markets. It recently began construction on a 28,800 sq ft facility designed to house a new, high-speed, 4.5m-wide metalizer, as reported here.

Toray Plastics’ film portfolio includes Lumirror PA66 PET, Torayfan FMS and F62W OPP. When necessary, certain enhancements can be integrated into these films in order to meet specific end users' needs. Among the films' applications are food and snack food packaging, packaging for such specialty items as coffee, artisanal and regional foods, and nutraceuticals, as well as labels for consumer items, durable goods and beverages.

‘We were honored when HP approached us in 2013 about our films, and it was very rewarding to see the program presented at drupa 2016,’ said William Nelson, sales director for Industrial Strategic Alliance Group of Toray Plastics (America). ‘Toray is very excited to participate and help develop the digital flexible packaging films for this market.

‘Leading consumer product goods companies and converters have relied on our film innovations to commercialize their projects effectively and efficiently for more than 30 years. Toray has been conducting research and development in the digital packaging arena since 2013, collaborating with customers who want to expand their packaging and label printing capabilities, including those who are interested in unique, custom printed packaging, customer engagement programs, and just-in-time and short-run projects. The market potential is excellent and our burgeoning relationship with HP Indigo is a perfect strategic fit.’