HP has committed US$200m ($313m) over five or more years to develop sustainable ink technologies for printing digitally on textiles and corrugated packaging.
Santi Morera, general manager and global head of graphics solutions, HP Inc, says, “Investing in water-based solutions that meet market needs and the increasing sustainability requirements of graphics customers is expected to propel business growth for HP.
“We will be dedicating resources toward continued innovation and industry disruption to accelerate safer, simpler and more sustainable water-based printing technologies that meet the quality, performance and economics needed by these markets.”
The company says this initiative forms part of its investment in leading technologies across its graphics portfolio adding that “water-based print technology advances HP’s sustainable impact vision and commitment to safer, simpler solutions. Traditional textile coloration makes use of technologies that can be problematic from a water emissions perspective.”
The World Resources Institute estimates around 20 per cent of industrial water pollution comes from garment manufacturing. HP claims its water-based inks for corrugated packaging have already shown leadership for sensitive applications such as food packaging. The company says its water-based HP Latex inks have established a durable, versatile and safer alternative for existing inks used for signage and displays.
HP adds that investing in water-based ink solutions for the corrugated and textile printing markets will have beneficial effects along the entire product lifecycle.
