Multinational packaging company DS Smith has announced that they have made an investment in advanced post-digital technology at their UK facility.
The Nozomi C18000 Plus will be installed at the factory in Ely (Cambridgeshire). It was purchased at electronic printing technology specialist Electronics For Imaging. It prints directly onto boards at rapid speeds.
DS Smith states that the award-winning printer enhances its high-end 3D Corrugated Display capabilities in the UK.
“EFI Nozomi technology has played an important role in helping more CPG and FMCG brands stand out with timely, efficient and effective premium packaging,” said the managing director retail marketing at DS Smith UK Sarah Bell.
“Now that the printer is coming to our Ely corrugated display production facility, our customers will gain much more versatility, with the ability to quickly and affordably produce high-end, customised displays featuring targeted promotions or designs.”
The 7-colour printer features DS Smith’s ability to match 97% Pantone Colours. Additionally, it has inspection technology that allows quick identification and correction of any inkjet nozzle or other problems.
EFI claims that the Nozomi C18000 Plus allows for high-quality, cost-effective direct-to-board digital print. It also eliminates many of the steps involved in printing plates, printing and lamination in traditional analog production. EFI also stated that the Nozomi inks are OCC certified for recyclability, and re-pulpability.
The printing technology experts also noted that single-pass digital inkjet printing for corrugated packages contributes to a true circular economy thanks to a decrease of overproduction and waste, as well as a lower storage cost.
EFI vice-president and general manager of packaging and building materials Evandro Matteucci said: “High-speed, single-pass inkjet digital printing with EFI Nozomi technology helps industry leaders like DS Smith address brands’ evolving needs for lower waste, better efficiency, and more relevant, targeted content in high-graphics packaging and displays.
“This technology creates a new level of sustainability and capability for the corrugated space, and it will make DS Smith Retail Marketing even more responsive to brands looking to reduce the time needed to launch new display campaigns.”
DS Smith currently maintains an EFI Nozomi E18000 Plus printer in its Lisbon, Portugal facility. It claims that the technology has dramatically reduced its delivery times. The popularity of digital printing technology in the packaging industry is growing rapidly. Inside Packaging reported last month that Interpack 2023 would highlight digital printing as an emerging trend.
Packaging Gateway reported recently that NOMOQ, a digital printing company for beverage cans, will open a new manufacturing plant in the UK.