Bobst takes control of Mouvent

Bobst's HQ in Lausanne, Switzerland
Bobst's HQ in Lausanne, Switzerland

Bobst has bought out its start-up partner in Mouvent, which makes inkjet presses for label and textiles printing, as it looks to develop the business.

The Swiss manufacturer has acquired Radex’s 49.9% stake in the partnership to take full ownership of the Mouvent business, which launched three years ago.

Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Speaking over the summer about Mouvent, CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst said it was “doing very well in label” adding that he was “very happy with the start-up, which took quite some time”.

“Bobst spent four years and invested a huge amount of money and also passion into this technology, and we are very happy to say that digital printing machines, with UV and water-based inks, are a success today and we ramp up production as we speak.”

Mouvent cluster technology, which uses Fujifilm Samba printheads, is used in Mouvent LB-701, LB-702 and the Bobst Master DM5 narrow web hybrid presses.

In its statement, Bobst said that despite the impact of the pandemic this year, Mouvent had sold more than 20 presses in Europe and the US.

The firm added that it was planning to unveil new inkjet platforms and new water-based inks which would answer “the sustainability requirements and shaping the future of the packaging world”.

Separately, Bobst has secured a partnership with SEI Laser to develop digital laser technology for label and packaging converting.

In a statement, Bobst said “the new activity will develop and commercialise worldwide digital laser cutting solutions for the labels, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated board industries”.