The Asia Pacific sales manager of UV supplier IST Metz, Thomas Gohl, said the technology would suit Australian printers who were worried by the high cost of electricity.

Gohl came to Australia in November to talk with clients of long-term partner Heidelberg.

The manufacturer said IST technology could cut printers' power consumption by more than 35% and also boost productivity by "dramatically reducing drying times".

[Related: Heidelberg launches UV inkjet press]

Heidelberg's head of product management & remarketed equipment, Shane Hanlon, said new developments meant the technology could expand out of its traditional packaging niche into commercial print and web-to-print markets.

"In the past UV printing was associated with higher operational costs, but the new systems from IST have made UV drying systems more affordable and as a consequence there is growing interest in the market for this technology," he said.

"There is no waiting for the ink to dry. With the UV drying technology you can cut, fold and finish the job ready for dispatch straight away.

"And now with the new low-energy UV drying solutions from IST, UV technology can also compete on price with the traditional methods like infrared for inks and hot air for aqueous coatings."

[LinkedIn: Do you have an electricity contract?]

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