New business opportunities with digitally printed paper cups at Xeikon Cafe

According to Xeikon, this sustainable and plastic-free food packaging solution carries the potential for paper cup converters to create new business opportunities.

The cooperation between Xeikon and Kotkamills validates ISLA Duo paper cup stock as the ideal media for the Xeikon 3500 range using dry toner technology. Xeikon’s digital printing method using food-safe dry toner technology together with Kotkamills’ plastic-free, recyclable, and biodegradable board produces a digitally printed paper cup that answers consumer demand for sustainable paper cups to be used for drinks on the go.

Sébastien Stabel, market segment manager for carton packaging at Xeikon, said, "We were delighted to test and validate the new paper cup stock ISLA Duo from Kotkamills. During testing, we saw a match between our food safe dry toner technology and the ISLA Duo board characteristics. We tested printability, productivity, and toner adhesion. The results were excellent and consistent."

Xeikon printed the Kotkamills ISLA Duo on a roll-to-roll Xeikon 3500 series with dry toner technology.

“Kotkamills board production technology and the raw materials used in the ISLA Duo production offer a high stiffness cup with a smooth and pleasing tactility. The barrier properties needed for the paper cups are produced with water-based dispersion, making it a plastic-free alternative. Unlike traditional PE coated paper cups, the water-based dispersion barrier layer of the ISLA Duo does not become charged by static electricity. This is the innovative key to achieving high printing speeds and excellent stackability properties,” said Saila Kettunen, director barrier boards at Kotkamills.

This provides cup producers with the possibility to offer individual and smaller, customised batches of plastic-free paper cups that are easy to recycle within any paper or board waste streams.