Fuji inkjet tops de-inking test

Fujifilm claims it has reached a "milestone" in the ability to remove the ink from an inkjet sheet as the manufacturer gears up to showcase its B2 sheetfed digital inkjet press, the Jet Press 720, running live as a commercial product for the first time.

The press will be exhibited on Fujifilm's stand, 9/CD360, with five live printing presentations taking place each day.

After de-inking trials carried out by the International Association of the Deinking Industry (INGEDE), the body said the 720 hit recyclability levels "previously unseen" with inkjet print.

INGEDE's Axel Fischer said the association was surprised by the levels of de-inking that were possible with the Jet Press 720 samples.

"These types of results are in the same league as those achieved with offset inks,but we've never before seen such great results with inkjet print," he added.

Fujifilm is pitching the 2,700 sheets per hour Jet Press at companies carry- ing out short-run commercial print work with Graham Leeson, marketing manager for Fujifilm Graphic Systems identifying a market between 500 and 2,000 sheets.

Although the machine is capable of handling variable-data work, Leeson said such capabilities would be "application-dependent" on the customer's requirements for the time being.

While Fujifilm would not be drawn on a price for the Jet Press 720, the manufacturer said it remained committed to a commercial launch before the end of the year and set a price of around $1m (£640,000).

"We've had a really positive response to the Jet Press 720 so far but shows like Ipex will give us a greater idea. There is still scepticism but we look forward to proving those views wrong."

FUJIFILM JET PRESS 720

Speed 2,700 B2 sheets per hour

Resolution 1,200dpi

Paper size min: 542x382mm max: 750x530mm

Printable area 720x520mm

Stock range 100-300gsm