EFI showcases Nozomi 17000 LED single-pass platform at Corrugated Week

Digital printing takes center stage in Fort Worth

The corrugated packaging sector continues its steady march toward digital integration, and this week's Corrugated Week 2026 in Fort Worth serves as the perfect backdrop for the latest technological push. EFI has brought its heavy artillery to the trade show floor, highlighting the Nozomi 17000 LED, an industrial single-pass digital printing platform designed specifically for the corrugated market. The company has also confirmed its active participation in today's "What's New" program, signaling a clear intent to position its technology as a necessary complement to traditional manufacturing lines.

Bridging the gap between flexo and digital

For decades, the industry has debated the tipping point for digital printing in corrugated packaging. What we are seeing in 2026 is no longer a theoretical discussion about replacing analog methods, but a pragmatic approach to capacity management. The Nozomi 17000 LED is engineered to handle short and medium runs profitably, effectively freeing up conventional flexo and offset presses to do what they do best: long, uninterrupted runs. Operating at speeds up to 75 linear meters per minute (246 feet per minute) and accommodating board sizes up to 1.68 by 2.4 meters, the platform delivers industrial-scale throughput without the setup complexities of traditional plate-based systems.

High-impact graphics and versioning

Brand owners are demanding more from their packaging. The unboxing experience, regional versioning, and limited-edition campaigns require a level of agility that analog presses struggle to provide economically. EFI's third-generation single-pass technology addresses this directly. By utilizing CMYK plus optional white, orange, violet, and clear digital protection, converters can achieve dazzling glossy finishes or matte looks without extra coating steps. Particularly noteworthy is the ability to print directly to kraft board with white ink, satisfying the growing brand desire for sustainable, "green-looking" brown boxes that still feature vibrant, high-impact graphics.

Operational efficiency and sustainability

Beyond print quality, the operational mechanics of the Nozomi 17000 LED reflect current industry priorities. The system eliminates the need for plates and traditional ink kitchen processes, drastically reducing setup times and material waste. Furthermore, the highly efficient LED curing technology lowers energy consumption and eliminates atmospheric emissions compared to older curing methods. Supported by EFInsight, a cloud-based intelligence platform for proactive maintenance and data analytics, converters gain granular control over their production metrics, tracking ink usage and substrate performance in real time.

The integration of industrial digital platforms like the Nozomi 17000 LED is no longer a novelty; it is a strategic necessity for converters looking to protect their margins on shorter runs while meeting the dynamic demands of modern retail. Will the industry accelerate its adoption of hybrid plant configurations to maximize both digital and analog strengths? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai