Creation helps Whitworths go solvent-free in its flexible packaging prepress

Creation Reprographics has enabled leading dried fruit, nuts and snacks business, Whitworths go solvent-free in its flexible packaging prepress.

Aiming to further reduce the carbon impact of its packaging, Whitworths has now moved its flexible packaging designs to water-washable Fujifilm Flenex-FW flexo plates, manufactured by Creation.

The move eliminates the need for solvents in prepress, Flenex-FW plate technology reduces energy use requirements and removes harmful VOC washout.

Matt Francklow, managing director at Creation, explains: ‘We partnered with Whitworths to manufacture water-washable flexo plates for its product range.

‘Developed by Fujifilm, Flenex-FW brings many advantages over classic solvent plate technology. Crucially, the plates require less energy to produce than conventional polymer plates, and in an environment where business energy bills are still sky-high, that’s an important benefit to have.

‘Print quality and registration are excellent, and a lightning-fast makeready of just 40 minutes delivers more time on-press and increased productivity. The rubber-based compound of Flenex-FW means a 1% flat top dot can be achieved without the need for complex systems to eliminate oxygen. This, in turn, means lower dot gain than conventional polymer plates. As a result, the precision is absolute, and the replicability truly impresses,’ Francklow continued.