HP’s latest entry into the flexible packaging market, the digital mid-web 200K boasts a top speed of 56m/min in the three-colour Enhanced Productivity Mode.
Telford-headquartered Sirane, which was also one of the first to beta test the press, has confirmed that the final version will be installed on site in mid-April, enhancing the company’s printing capabilities on both flexibles and board.
Peter Ralten, commercial and business development director at Sirane, said: “Telford was the birthplace of industry, so it is quite apt that the next phase of the digital revolution starts here too.”
He said the press, which has been designed to offer digital packaging converters better productivity, on-demand delivery, no minimum orders, unique designs, reduced energy consumption, and minimal waste, would open new business opportunities for Sirane.
“Digital printing isn’t just about short runs. If a company wanted 100,000 stand-up pouches or more with 100,000 different, unique designs, then digital printing makes that possible, which opens up exciting possibilities.
“But at the same time, short runs are a key feature of the digital press, and again will offer our customers a service which we are not currently able to offer.
“When we began exploring our next step in printing technology to expand our capacity and capabilities, it was abundantly clear we needed a press that could handle a very wide range of substrates and offer superb print quality.
“From the range of substrates that the equipment can handle to the print capabilities, there isn’t much that cannot be achieved with this ground-breaking new HP 200k.”
He added: “At times we will use this press purely for the excellent print quality that can be achieved, at other times it might be variable data or security features. This type of versatility we have not seen from other printing methods or manufacturers.
“As well as flexible packaging, we also have our board division, and the HP Indigo 200K will offer the same printing flexibility on a range of different boards.”
The 200k uses HP Indigo’s Liquid Electrophotography (LEP) technology, and has been designed to print high coverage patterns with white on the majority of industrial substrates, on obverse and reverse sides.
The 200K’s Indigo ElectroInk range is suitable for food packaging on the non-contact side and can be composted in some applications.
Sirane recently launched a range of oven-friendly films and pouches printed with heat-resistant water-based inks.
The first Bobst Vision CI flexo press in the UK, meanwhile, was also due to be up and running by the end of February at its Telford site.
