Gualapack chooses OMET: quality and flexibility in high-performance laminate printing

In the flexible pharmaceutical packaging industry, technological innovation and process control are strategic factors for ensuring consistent quality and industrial reliability. Gualapack, a Northern Italian company with an international footprint, specialized in the development and production of spouted pouches and high-performance laminates, has recently strengthened its manufacturing infrastructure by investing in OMET Flexo UV technology. This decision is part of a broader technological evolution aimed at expanding its printing solutions portfolio and responding more efficiently to the needs of premium segments in flexible packaging and pharma. Here the interview with Nicola Zancan, Chief Industrial Officer, Gualapack Group, who explains the role of this investment within the group’s industrial strategy.

Mr. Zancan, could you tell us something about Gualapack’s evolution, from its origins to its current structure and main reference markets?
Gualapack was founded in 1986 in Alessandria, Italy, as part of the Guala Group, established by Angelo Guala in 1954. From the outset, the company specialized in flexible packaging, with a particular focus on preformed spouted pouches and related technologies, evolving over time into a leading global player.
Today, Gualapack employs approximately 2.500 people and operates through an international manufacturing network comprising 16 plants, 5 in Italy and 11 abroad. This global presence enables us to serve multinational customers while maintaining high quality standards and an efficient supply chain.
Our portfolio includes preformed spouted pouches, high-performance laminates, caps and fitments, filling machinery, as well as a division dedicated to pharma and nutraceutical applications. Our reference markets range from food and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, home care and industrial sectors.

What is Gualapack’s value proposition today, and your key success factor in the flexible and pharmaceutical packaging market?
Our value proposition is based on the ability to integrate materials, components, printing and industrial know-how into a single offering. We are not simply a packaging supplier, but a technology partner capable of supporting customers from material development through to the final solution.
This approach is particularly relevant in high-performance sectors such as pharma and nutraceuticals, where consistent quality, process repeatability, regulatory compliance and reliability are essential requirements. Added to this is a strong focus on technological innovation and production flexibility—key elements for responding to increasingly segmented and dynamic markets.

Why did Gualapack decide to invest in a new Flexo UV press, and what role does it play in your printing strategy?
Historically, Gualapack has internalized printing within its plants to ensure premium quality on large runs, particularly through rotogravure at the Piacenza and Nadab sites.
With the establishment and growth of Gualapack Pharma, we also entered the world of digital printing, a technology that is essential for flexibly managing micro-runs, shortening lead times and increasing production flexibility.
The investment in the OMET Flexo UV technology completes this pathway: it enables us to competitively cover medium-to-large print runs, offering an optimal balance between print quality, production efficiency and cost competitiveness. Today, we therefore have a complete range of printing technologies aligned with diverse market needs.

Why did you choose OMET as your technology partner for this investment?
This choice was driven by our intention to invest in a platform able of ensuring operational flexibility and consistent quality—fundamental aspects in the regulated and high-performance markets in which we operate.
In particular, the OMET Varyflex convinced us through its versatility, high print quality, precision and repeatability of results, as well as production efficiency achieved through optimized timing and operating costs.

Which jobs will you perform with the new OMET Flexo UV press, and how strategic are they for Gualapack?
The new technology will be used for high value-added applications, such as printing on aluminum for pharmaceutical blister packs, thin films for flexible packaging and thick laminates intended for high-performance products.
These applications are central to our Pharma division and to premium packaging segments, where quality, reliability and precision are non-negotiable and represent a true differentiating factor in the market.

How is Gualapack positioned in the market today, and what trends do you foresee in the short and medium term?
Gualapack is positioned as a leader in spouted pouches and high-performance laminates, with a strong industrial base in Italy and a consolidated international presence.
In the short and medium term, we observe clear trends: growing demand for sustainable and high-performance packaging, continued expansion of the pharma and nutraceutical sectors, the need for increasingly flexible and efficient printing technologies, and rising attention to safety and regulatory compliance.
In this context, the ability to combine technological innovation, print quality, industrial efficiency and sector specialization will be decisive. Technology partnerships such as the one with OMET represent a key element in continuing to create value for our customers.

www.gualapack.com