Pregis LLC has invested more than $10 million in manufacturing upgrades which include a blown film line and enhanced printing capabilities in its Sharp® Packaging flexible packaging operation in Sussex, Wisconsin.

A new Hosokawa Alpine five-layer, coextruded blown film line that produces polyethylene-based film for use in flexible packaging, including poly bags, has been installed in the vertically-integrated facility. The material is first extruded and then printed before being converted into pre-opened flexible bags. Lastly, the rolls are installed on Sharp bagging systems located at customer pack stations.

With the integrated thermal printing capability, unique customer addresses can be printed in the packaging operation without the need for additional labels. The Sharp systems are typically used as an alternative to corrugated shippers to ship soft goods, such as clothing.

Additionally, the company has invested in two, 8-color flexographic printing presses which offer a broad range of printing capabilities wider color range, with higher quality graphics. Brand owners can leverage this capability for marketing and promotion, extending the company’s brand messaging and enhancing the customer experience when the package arrives at its destination.

“With an increased demand for Sharp bagging systems —particularly for e-commerce applications—this investment puts us in an ideal position to supply marketplace needs. Our new five-layer blown film line gives us the ability to push the envelope on engineered film solutions which address specific packaging objectives. This, coupled with our field-proven equipment options, provides the marketplace with efficient, cost-effective bagging solutions,” explains Mike Menz, president, Sharp Packaging Systems by Pregis.

Sharp flexible bags and bagging systems are used in a wide variety of applications including e-commerce, medical/pharmaceutical, retail displays, injection molding, linen services and OEM parts. The Sharp product line includes MAX and SX bagging systems and custom-made E-Z Bags®.