PPMA 2026: The FUJI Alpha X Makes Its UK Debut
Paramount Packaging Systems, the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of FUJI flow wrapping machinery, exhibited at the PPMA Show 2026 at the NEC in Birmingham from 22 to 24 September. The show gave UK manufacturers their first look at the new FUJI Alpha X horizontal flow wrapper ahead of its UK launch next year.
Familiar Faces at the NEC
PPMA has been a regular fixture in our calendar for many years, and one of the best things about it is the people. Many of our customers have been running FUJI machines with us for decades, and the show gives us a chance to catch up in person away from the factory floor.
We heard about how lines are performing, what's changed in their businesses over the past year and what they have planned next. Those conversations are always valuable and this year was no different.
What Is the FUJI Alpha X?
The FUJI Alpha X is the latest horizontal flow wrapper from FUJI Machinery Co., Ltd. It follows the Alpha 8 series and is designed for food, non-food, medical device and pharmaceutical packaging, with a focus on precision, hygiene and lower material use.
The main upgrades include:
- 350mm film diameters can now be used
- A further strengthened machine frame
- Improvements to the FUJI Vision System
- The latest FUJI motion control PLC, with software that now offers remote dial-in and RFID tag in/tag out for operators, engineers and superusers
All of it is backed by the build quality you’d expect from a Japanese manufacturer.
How Does the Alpha X Support Sustainable Packaging?
The Alpha X is designed to run mono-material, recyclable films such as OPP/EVOH/PP and paper structures. For manufacturers currently using tray seal formats, switching to flow wrapping in mono-material film can cut plastic use by up to 70% per unit and reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 60%. Film thickness is another area that often gets missed. The Alpha X can run very thin film, which means lower film costs, more packs per reel and a much lighter finished pack.
With pressure building to reduce packaging weight, it’s a practical route that many visitors at PPMA were keen to explore as they plan ahead.
What Did UK Manufacturers Want to Know?
Most of the conversations on the stand came back to the same themes: film costs, sustainability targets, labour and getting more out of existing lines. These are the challenges we spend most of our time helping customers solve and it was useful to hear first-hand how they’re affecting businesses across the sector.
As Chris Gibson, our Sales Director, put it:
“It was good to give customers an early look at the Alpha X and talk it through face to face. A lot of the discussions were about specific challenges on their lines, and we're looking forward to continuing those conversations ahead of the UK launch.”
About Paramount Packaging Systems
Paramount Packaging Systems is the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of FUJI flow wrapping and tray wrapping machinery. Based in Fleet, Hampshire, we have more than 30 years’ experience and have supplied over 800 machines to manufacturers in the food, non-food, medical device and pharmaceutical sectors. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Thank you to everyone who came to see us at the NEC. We’ll be in touch over the coming weeks to pick up the conversations we started at the show.
Want to be among the first to hear when the FUJI Alpha X is available in the UK? Get in touch with the Paramount team on 01252 815 252 or fuji@paramount-packaging.co.uk.