Heidelberg’s has begun the pilot phase of its digital inkjet sheetfed B1 Primefire 106 digital printing system at international packaging manufacturer Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS), based in the USA.
The Primefire 106, the first industrial printing system in B1 format, developed in co-operation with Fujifilm inkjet technology, had a showing at drupa last year. Benny Landa also had a B1 sheetfed digital press on show, but has given no word yet on when it will into beta testing. Komori also had a version of the Landa press, but again no word on its progress
Heidelberg claims Primefire 106 enables packaging printers to take a step in developing new areas of business. For example with the production of variable and personalised packaging or by adding traceability and security elements on each box.
The company says that printing on demand with Primefire 106 can streamline supply chain processes and reduce inventory costs. It claims that the seven-colour inkjet system covers up to 95 per cent of the Pantone colour space, resulting in time and cost reduction when producing jobs including special colours. Heidelberg says water-based inkjet printing meets strict environmental and recycling requirements and permits food-safe production.
Montserrat Peidro-Insa, head of digital sales and digital sheet-fed general manager, Heidelberg says, “The start of the pilot phase according to schedule is a further milestone in the implementation of our digital strategy in cooperation with our partner Fujifilm. In MPS we have found the perfect company for the first Primefire 106 pilot. Our long-standing partnership, its digital business model in packaging printing, its worldwide presence, and its industrial manufacturing approach build the right environment for Primefire 106 to be tested under real life conditions. It brings us a big step closer in qualifying Primefire 106 for production and starting to establish industrial digital printing in the market.”
MPS specialises in packaging solutions for beauty and personal care, consumer and pharmaceutical brands and employs 9,000 people in 14 countries. It says a key factor in MPS installing the Primefire was the image quality, reliability and rapid development of the technology.
Götz Schümann, managing director of MPS says, “We have many years of experience with Heidelberg as a reliable partner in the area of offset technology. Its quality and service pledge are outstanding. As such we are confident that Heidelberg digital technologies are also the right choice for us, and we look forward to being involved in the market launch of the Primefire 106 as an early adopter.”
