Irish firm Smurfit Kappa has installed eight HP Scitex corrugated presses across its European sites to expand the use of digital printing in the corrugated packaging industry.
The installation of the corrugated presses will bolster Smurfit Kappa’s digital printing capabilities by facilitating graphics that make display and promotional packaging ‘come alive’.
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The printers have the ability to offer short runs to cater to the growing demand for reduced turnaround times from brands.
As part of the partnership with HP, the packaging firm has installed Scitex HDR technology corrugated presses, including the HP Scitex 11000, HP Scitex 15500, and HP Scitex 17000, in sites in Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Portugal, Poland and the UK.
The company is also planning to install more presses at sites in the UK and the Netherlands.
Smurfit Kappa Group Europe Corrugated and Converting chief operating officer Edwin Goffard said: “There is an industry-wide consensus that corrugated is ready for digital. We are using HP digital solutions in many of our plants to provide pioneering, market-leading solutions for our customers.
“Our strong relationship with HP enables us to stay ahead of any printing trends and fits in with our sustainability goals.”
According to the company, digital printing has bolstered the marketing capabilities of packaging and displays, with the graphic flexibility of the new HP printers helping to improve the on the shelf look.
Smurfit Kappa uses digital print in shelf-ready packaging, which is delivered through its ShelfSmart service.
In April this year, Smurfit Kappa installed the first commercial HP single pass press in Europe at its Interwell plant in Austria.
