Paper-based packaging solutions provider Smurfit Kappa has signed a collaboration agreement with HP to digitize the corrugated post-print production.
The collaboration, which is expected to innovate the way high-value boxes are produced, will advance the development of the digital corrugated post-print solution, HP PageWide C500 Press.
The HP PageWide C500 Press is designed to offer a flexible and robust industrial post-print corrugated solution capable of delivering high-impact, offset-quality graphics direct-to-board while allowing customers to adopt digital technology.
Smurfit Kappa will use the HP PageWide C500 Press to print direct-to-board with quality to substitute lithography and deliver faster turnarounds with just-in-time production.
The firms will work closely to develop the new press in order to provide unique production insights into the specific requirements for corrugated post-printing. The press is also planned to be rolled out in its European plants.
Smurfit Kappa Europe CEO Roberto Villaquiran said: "While our current digital printing solutions enable us to offer our customers fast time to market and shorter runs, we required a more robust and economical solution to scale our digital printing capabilities.
"After a thorough analysis, we determined the HP PageWide C500 Press is the most compelling digital end-to-end solution for corrugated post-print, and HP is the right vendor with the right commitment to innovation in this space to help us reinforce our leadership."
Designed for seamless integration into any production environment, the new press features the HP Corrugated Grip Technology to allow customers expand media versatility and enhance production flexibility.
HP plans to commence testing of the HP PageWide C500 Press in 2017 at customer sites following which the press will be made commercially available in 2018.
In May, Smurfit Kappa has launched the SKMF 146, a mandrel case former designed to provide effective and optimized packaging machine solution for customers.