With PantherCure UV LED inks, Xeikon is elevating its Panther series of UV inkjet presses to offer an extremely competitive solution with the highest environmental credentials, without increasing the investment cost of the printing press. Offering lower energy and ink consumption, longer lamp life, and an expanded colour gamut with an improved OEE, the new UV LED inks will be instrumental in allowing Xeikon to set a new standard in inkjet printing technology.  

“We are very excited to bring our PantherCure UV LED inks to Labelexpo where they can be seen running on the Xeikon PX3300 inkjet press. After spending almost three years developing these innovative inks and completing successful beta testing at a customer site, we are now unveiling the full extent of what is truly the most sustainable UV inkjet solution on the market,” said Johan Van de Velde, Xeikon product manager, inkjet. “Following our announcement of the new ink family last year, we have listened to the feedback and also worked hard to quantify the benefits. We are now able to share the results, which are frankly very impressive.” 

The sustainability gains seen on a Panther press fitted with LED include an increase in lamp life by 10 times. LED lamps can last up to five years (or around 20,000 hours) compared to mercury (Hg) bulbs, which need changing on average every 2,000 hours, meaning less hazardous waste is created. 

Furthermore, LEDs require no ​warm-up or ​cool-down​, eliminating waiting and standby time, coupled with 21% less energy needed during the active printing phase. In total, energy use will go down by on average 59 kWh per day, which translates to less environmental impact, reduced CO2 emissions, and much lower costs (equal to a saving of Euros 6,900 annually assuming a cost of Euros 0.32 pr kWh).