GOpak has launched as a new digitally-driven flexible packaging manufacturer, and is using an HP Indigo 20000 digital press and electron beam (EB) curing technology to supply the growing demand for pouches, as well as more sustainable products including compostable and recyclable packaging options.

The Delafield, Wisconsin-based company commenced operations in June in its modern 10,000sqft facility. GOpak was established to meet growing demand for small and medium-sized volumes, speed-to-market in flexible packaging, and improved sustainability. As the digital market within flexible packaging started to grow, co-founders AJ Buran and David Hotchkiss created a business plan based on the HP Indigo 20000 and EB curing.

Mr Buran has 25 years of printing and packaging experience, while Mr Hotchkiss is a 27-year veteran in the plastics machinery business, primarily as a business owner specialising in all types of extrusion and injection moulding.

Mr Buran commented, ‘Many container packaging segments are moving more to flexible packaging, including food and beverage, health and beauty, and other consumer products. However, smaller brands are not able to get high-quality printed pouches due to large minimums and plate costs. Smaller brands are typically forced to buy blank pouches and label them, and now with the HP Indigo 20000 the emerging brands can eliminate the label and compete with the bigger brands and gain shelf appeal.’

The production concept at GOpak is surface printing on pre-laminated structures followed by EB curing on an S-OneLP CatPak system. This allows GOpak to ship printed rolls in a few days. The durability of EB curing, which cross- links the varnish, inks and material as one, can eliminate a lamination layer providing sustainability advantages. Since EB technology cures instantly using no photoinitiators, the process is suitable for food applications and there is no set-aside time like in the traditional lamination process.

GOpak provides stand-up pouches and roll stock packaging with speed-to-market to printing and packaging companies, and select CPG companies. The EB finish comes in gloss, matt and soft-touch.

Read more about the growth in digitally printed pouches in the November/December issue of Digital Labels & Packaging