HP unveils power of digital printing for packaging industry at Interpack 2014

HP, which launched the 20000, a mid-web digital press for labels and flexible packaging and the HP Indigo 30000 for folding cartons during Drupa 2012, is clearly taking a big step into the estimated USD 11-bn (Rs 660-bn) global packaging market, and according to Infotrend, only 7% of these materials are currently printed with digital technology.

Making the presentation, Stephen Nigro, HP’s senior vice-president for graphic and inkjet solution business, said, “People are asking what’s HP doing at a packaging show. Well, having led the shift, we are now driving digital transformation in the packaging industry.”

He added, “Brand managers, retailers and packaging converters can take advantage of the benefits of digital printing, some of which include the ability to do cost-effective short-runs, versioning, customisation for enhanced customer engagement, and on-demand production to minimise warehousing and waste.“

HP also announced a strategic agreement with Comexi Group, a leading flexible packaging machinery manufacturer, to develop a dedicated lamination solution optimised for the HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press. “The printed pages is not the end of the product, we develop close partnerships with industry specialists such that our customers benefit from the full value of digital across printing, converting and laminating processes,” said Alon Bar-Shany, vice-president and general manager at HP Indigo division.

The Comexi NEXUS L20000 is the first dedicated end-to-end lamination and coating solution for digitally printed flexible packaging.  Available in inline or offline configurations, the Comexi NEXUS L20000will offer advanced solvent-free lamination to help flexible packaging converters shorten time-to-market, as well as help reduce waste and environmental impact. 

At the HP stand were other partners like Tresu, Kama and Scodix, among others.

The HP Scitex 15000 Corrugated Press has an easy setup, operation and speed of up to 600 sq/mtr per hour allowing it to print up to 120 beds per hour. For point of purchase (POP) displays, the HP Scitex 15000 has three production modes: POP60 (60 beds/312sqm per hour); POP80 (80 beds/407sqm per hour); and POP100 (100 beds/520sqm per hour), helping to maximise productivity.

HP also revealed that it is working on a plan to take its web inkjet press technology introduced in 2008 for publishing primarily, into packaging, more specifically to the litho laminated corrugated market.