HP and KBA to co-develop new inkjet web press for corrugated packaging

HP and KBA have announced plans to develop the HP T1100 Simplex Color Inkjet Web Press, a high-speed high-volume 110-inch-wide web press for pre-printing of corrugated top liner. This will enable users to combine many individual jobs together on a roll or across rolls for short, medium or long runs. Unlike traditional analogue preprint, every box can be different. Expected to print at speeds up to 600 feet per minute and produce up to 300,000 square feet per hour, this press will print corrugated liner rolls that can then be placed directly onto existing industry-standard 110-inch-wide corrugators. The press will be the first solution co-developed by the two companies since the announcement of their strategic collaboration at Graph Expo 2014 in Chicago.
The companies pointed out that centralized corrugated box plants serving major retail brands will especially benefit from this digital preprint solution. “Brands are increasingly requiring just-in-time inventory, shorter runs and faster turnaround times. HP’s inkjet technology enables significant time, material and shipping cost advantages when compared to analogue processes. Digital preprint is more efficient than post-print alternatives,” they said.
“Addressing the enormous digital opportunity in the corrugated market requires best-in-class technology innovation, a portfolio of solutions, scale and a market vision,” said Aurelio Maruggi, VP and GM, Inkjet High-Speed Production Solutions, HP (pictured previously). “The new press will transform the short and mid-range corrugated packaging market, dramatically disrupting operating models and costs – and more importantly, creating new value for brand customers.”
“KBA has a rich heritage of developing innovative solutions that meet or exceed customers’ quality expectations,” said Christoph Müller, Executive VP for the Web Press Product House, KBA. “In working with HP, we will combine our complementary technological strengths for the needs of packaging converters.”