MPS Takes Digital Leap with Heidelberg Primefire 106

Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS), a global leader in value-added print and packaging solutions for the healthcare, branded consumer and multi-media markets, is the first pilot user of a Primefire 106 from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). The Primefire 106 is a seven-color digital inkjet press that offers ground-breaking technology for the carton packaging sector. The pilot phase commenced in January and the system is part of a major investment program at the site. The digital B1-format press is the first machine in commercial production worldwide. MPS's latest addition follows significant investment across its global operations to meet the needs of some of the world's most prestigious brands.

MPS has installed the Heidelberg Primefire 106 digital press.

The agility offered by the new press is ideal for smaller order quantities helping customers reduce product inventory and obsolescence. Steffen Schnizer, managing director and global head of beauty and personal care sales at MPS Obersulm, said, "The Heidelberg Primefire is a significant step forward in terms of digital print technology and will greatly enhance our carton offer. More of our customers want the flexibility of digitally printed cartons but naturally don’t want to compromise their brand with an inferior product. The quality of print, strength of color and flexibility will allow customers the benefit of managing their carton requirements more effectively."

The new press is being supported by complementary finishing equipment and forms part of the site's growth strategy, whilst extending its capabilities. The Primefire 106 offers shorter lead times which are often a requirement for products that incorporate variable data or for brands with many product variations. The seven-color ink system offers a wide color gamut with the highest print resolution that makes it ideal for premium quality printing in the personal care, hair-colorants, fragrance and cosmetics sectors.

“Fast, creative changes to the brand and product appearance are crucial to sales success," Schnizer continued. "That’s why we offer customers high-quality, flexible and variable or personalized packaging solutions that will enable them to tap into additional business potential and set themselves apart from their competition. The Heidelberg Primefire 106 press is reliable and can be readily integrated into our existing workflow."

MPS Obersulm, which is a leading supplier of folding cartons to a range of markets, has won numerous awards for its cartons and innovation. "The new press offers depth and high definition which is particularly valued in the personal care market. Color consistency will be measured and monitored, which means customers can be sure their branding is in safe hands and that color replication will be right time after time. We are now one of the best equipped carton factories in Europe for premium packaging and have the capabilities to meet our customers' long-term expectations," said Marc Schnizer, managing director operations at MPS Germany.

Heidelberg Primefire 106 enables packaging printers in particular to take a step in developing new areas of business, for example with the production of variable and personalized packaging or by adding traceability and security elements on each box. Printing on demand with Primefire 106 can streamline supply chain processes and reduce inventory costs. In addition, the seven-color inkjet system with Heidelberg Multicolor technology covers up to 95% of the Pantone color space, resulting in time and cost reduction when producing jobs including special colors. Water-based inkjet printing meets strict environmental and recycling requirements and therefore also permits food-safe production.

"The fast development of the technology undertaken by Heidelberg’s R&D team resulted in a solid digital production system becoming quickly available after its presentation at the world premiere at drupa 2016," Montserrat Peidro-Insa, head of digital sales and digital sheetfed GM at Heidelberg, said. "Digital applications in packaging printing will change the market in the future. We will see more frequent changes to packaging, as well as more adaptable and more creative applications. We are happy to collaborate with MPS with its high expectations on quality and performance as a development partner for the Primefire digital printing machine."

Marc Schnizer concluded, "All our sites complement each other and all have benefited from investment in the latest technology. Our technical ability and our focus on product innovation make us a strategic partner for our customers. At the same time, Heidelberg Primefire offers water-based inkjet printing that meets strict environmental and recycling requirements and therefore also permits food-safe production for our confectionery customers."

Source: Multi Packaging Solutions.