M2 Flex activates Latin America's first single-pass EFI Nozomi 14000 SD

Industrial speeds meet digital flexibility in Rio de Janeiro

The Latin American printing and packaging sector is witnessing a definitive shift towards high-volume digital production. Electronics For Imaging (EFI) has confirmed the full operational deployment of its first EFI Nozomi 14000 SD single-pass printer in Brazil, installed at the M2 Flex facility in Rio de Janeiro. This move marks the region's first adoption of this specific industrial digital platform dedicated to large-scale visual communication, displays, and corrugated board applications.

Unlike traditional multi-pass digital systems, where the printhead carriage moves across the substrate repeatedly, the single-pass architecture of the Nozomi 14000 SD features fixed printheads. The substrate travels beneath them at high speeds, allowing the 1.4-meter-wide press to output up to 1,100 boards per hour, or 60 linear meters per minute. This technical upgrade directly addresses a long-standing operational bottleneck: achieving digital agility without sacrificing industrial throughput.

Bridging the gap with conventional offset

For converters and commercial printers in 2026, the primary challenge remains balancing the demand for shorter, customized runs with the cost-efficiency of conventional offset. According to Arnaldo Peres, Commercial Director at M2 Flex, the Nozomi technology was selected specifically to fill the operational void between multi-pass digital and offset printing. By leveraging this single-pass capability, the company can handle high-volume runs with production costs that closely mirror those of offset, while retaining the variable data and quick-changeover benefits of digital inkjet.

The integration of such high-capacity equipment requires a substantial reorganization of shop floor logistics. For M2 Flex, absorbing the sheer output volume of the Nozomi 14000 SD meant establishing a dedicated Production Planning and Control (PPC) system solely to feed the machine and manage its accelerated workflow. This operational shift highlights a broader industry trend in 2026: acquiring fast digital presses is only half the battle; packaging converters must also modernize their material handling and finishing operations to prevent downstream bottlenecks.

Felipe Chaves, Sales Executive at EFI Brazil, noted that this installation signals the market's maturity to absorb top-tier inkjet technology. M2 Flex is integrating the press into its broader "Hub 360" strategy, offering clients a consolidated portfolio that ranges from offset to high-end digital corrugated displays. The system is equipped to handle up to six colors (CMYK plus optional Orange and Violet), achieving up to 97% of the Pantone gamut with an effective resolution of 720 dpi. This ensures that brand color consistency is strictly maintained across rigid and semi-rigid substrates like corrugated cardboard, polystyrene, and foamboard.

Sustainability without performance trade-offs

As the converting industry faces stricter environmental scrutiny, the footprint of heavy machinery is heavily evaluated. The EFI Nozomi 14000 SD addresses this through LED curing technology, which significantly reduces energy consumption compared to traditional thermal or UV mercury lamps. Furthermore, the press utilizes 100% environmentally friendly, GREENGUARD Gold-certified inks that emit virtually no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or odors. Crucially for the corrugated sector, these inks are OCC-certified as repulpable and recyclable for paper-based substrates, aligning with circular economy mandates.

Beyond energy and emissions, the supply chain resilience offered by digital printing plays a vital role. By printing direct-to-board, converters bypass the laminating processes often required in traditional litho-lamination for high-graphic corrugated packaging. This reduction in processing steps not only cuts down on adhesive usage and material waste but also shortens lead times dramatically. Brands are increasingly demanding these agile, low-waste supply chains to support faster retail cycles and localized marketing campaigns.

The successful integration of single-pass digital systems at the industrial level proves that the technology is no longer just for short runs; it is a viable, sustainable replacement for legacy high-volume processes. Will other major LatAm converters accelerate their transition to single-pass inkjet to remain competitive against early adopters like M2 Flex? 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