• Koenig & Bauer Durst announces customer and beta site details
• Built on market-proven technology, the VariJET 106 aligns with customer individual requirements
• Building program accelerates to keep up with folding carton digital printing growth

 

Würzburg, Germany 04.05.2023

Koenig & Bauer Durst is scaling up its VariJET 106 build program to cope with high demands for digital production in folding carton markets, which it expects to accelerate further this year. The announcement comes as two beta sites get under way and the first commercial customer will start live production in the second half of the year.

Printing starts in May at a first beta site of the VariJET 106 B1 single pass digital press for folding carton markets. A second beta test customer, also in central Europe, will begin a few weeks later. The VariJET 106 is the first joint development between Durst and Koenig & Bauer. The announcements were made at Koenig & Bauer Durst VariJET 106’s Open House at Sheetfed Division of Koenig & Bauer where more than 60 delegates have been hosted in Radebeul, Germany, on April 26-27.

Robert Stabler, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst, said: “Built on market-proven technology, the VariJET 106 installations represent huge statements to the market – and we are really pleased with the substantial progress that has been made. Production is being ramped up and new machines will become available in the second half of 2023 on the back of the relatively high demand we are witnessing.”

He added: These presses are tailored to individual requirements and afford a major opportunity for those companies that can optimize their production and reduce costs while offering new high added value business models. Challenges like these are what our VariJET 106 has been developed to answer. The VariJET 106 combines the best of both worlds of Koenig & Bauer’s Rapida 106 technology and all the digital know-how and expertise of Durst. It brings together the strengths of digital inkjet and classic offset printing.”

Koenig & Bauer Durst’s VariJET 106 is equipped to be able to address a wide range of applications. The press produces up to 5,500 sheets per hour. It uses water-based inks that comply with all the main food security standards. The inks are also de-inkable which is important to future proof an investment in the light of tightening legislation around recyclability and reusage rates.

Industry analyst and commentator Dr Sean Smyth was the keynote speaker at VariJET 106 Open House in Radebeul. Sustainability, waste reduction targets and potential new European regulations on recyclability among the topics. Backing up the production demos, there were expert discussions on all facets of the printing process including a deep dive into how workflows and analytics support customers to cost effectively manage high volumes of shorter run length print jobs.

• Koenig & Bauer Durst to unveil important announcements at live event
• Global packaging expert Thomas Reiner will also provide expert corrugated packaging insights
• Brand owner and retail thinking will also be among topics under discussion

The challenges facing converters in the corrugated board market will come under the spotlight in Koenig & Bauer’s SPC Open House in Lienz, Austria, on 12 May. The drive where brand owner and retailers are dynamically moving towards a circular economy, digital transformation and sustainability will also be among topics under discussion at the live event. 

With travel restrictions easing, converters from mainland Europe and further afield will be converging on the Durst Innovation Center East location in the beautiful eastern Tyrol where the keynote address will be given by global packaging expert Thomas Reiner, co-founder and CEO of Berndt & Partner. How brands are thinking and planning for their digital transformation in the current paradigm will be among the insights he will outline to delegates.

Koenig & Bauer Durst will also use the SPC Open House for important announcements, including product updates, as the world continues to move towards digital production. The theme will be ‘Compelling trends driving digital transformation in corrugated packaging’ – and the day-long event will be preceded by an evening dinner and networking event.

Robert Stabler, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst, said: “With factors such as intense inflationary pressures and acute product shortages, converters like never before are looking to optimize their production by reducing waste and increasing the value of the goods they supply to their clients.  Reduced lead times and shorter run lengths, coupled with greater forecast unpredictability, are also among the trends driving the surge towards single pass digital printing that helps converters meet evolving demands of brand owners.

“We are incredibly excited about our SPC Open House on May 12 and look forward to welcoming delegates in person to discuss the new challenges and opportunities for the corrugated packaging market. Please reach out to your local Koenig & Bauer Durst local partners for more details.”