According to industry consultancy Pira International, the worldwide digital print market for packaging was $US580.7 million in 2005 and is expected to reach $6 billion by 2015. The digital print market for the pharmaceutical segment is expected to grow to $US1.34 billion by 2015.
Xerox, along with Stora Enso, one of the world’s leading producers of packaging boards and papers, has created the industry’s first integrated, inline cut-sheet digital packaging solution. For example, the solution can print a box with variable security codes or with personalized instructions based on a patient’s medical needs.
This type of digital packaging solution is ideal for the pharmaceutical market. On demand, personalised printing can produce small batches of products with specialized, relevant consumer information for clinical trials, professional samples and other items. The solution enables printing in multiple languages and quickly switches from one job to the next, providing the flexibility needed in today’s rapidly changing marketplace.
The jointly developed solution is powered by the Xerox iGen3 110 Digital Production Press with specially formulated magenta toner and consists of an Epic CTi-635 varnishing unit with both aqueous and UV-coating options from Xerox, a KAMA die cutter with 580 x 400 mm sheet size and a stacker-conveyer unit from Stora Enso. The advantage of an inline solution means that print providers can produce customised, variable data on each package cost effectively, without having to stop production and manage offline equipment.
“This integrated solution addresses the critical needs the packaging industry is facing. It will increase productivity, decrease costs with on demand printing and reduce time-to-market from weeks to days,” said Quincy Allen, president, Xerox Production Systems Group. “Xerox has customised the iGen3 press for a specialized application to meet the unique requirements within the folding cartons segment of the packaging market. This will open up new business opportunities for brand owners and packaging converters resulting in additional revenue growth and profits.” …
Source: Drupa 2008 press release
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter