Sparking new ideas in folding carton with VariJET 106

By Eric Frank, Senior Vice President, Koenig & Bauer

What started as small carton associations banding together to survive the Great Depression has evolved into the unified organization we know today, representing the $12-billion paperboard packaging industry.

The Paperboard Packaging Council is a vibrant community of leaders, innovators and changemakers exclusively dedicated to North American converters of paperboard packaging and their suppliers.

Packaging requirements are evolving faster than ever, driven by sustainability demands, AI-powered advancements, and a shift away from plastics. Brand and retailers are racing to adapt, as are converters.

With all this in mind, I am looking forward to the PPC Spring Conference meeting in Indianapolis from April 23-25 that will have a packed agenda over the three days.

There I will be introducing the latest updates on the VariJET 106, the digital inkjet press, which has been jointly developed by Durst and Koenig & Bauer.

The VariJET uses the know-how from Koenig & Bauer, the leader in offset printing, with Durst’s unparalleled expertise in digital inkjet technology and software. We have reimagined the possibilities by combining the power of these two processes.

Greater geopolitical and societal instability, supply chain challenges, labour shortages, and legislative changes are all among additional factors that make digital production increasingly important in folding carton and corrugated markets.

And now seems to be the perfect time to fully introduce this unique offering to the American market, which is now a key target territory for sales.

The future is now for digital production in folding carton packaging. And I am convinced that the VariJET106 will play an important part in developments.

For those visiting the Spring Conference, I look forward to being there and fostering meaningful connections.