Heidelberg considers capacity increase to meet Primefire 106 demand

More than 70 customers from 40 packaging manufacturers from all over Europe attended the event in Obersulm, jointly organized with Heidelberg at the beginning of November.

MPS-WestRock produces high-end packaging for consumer goods products in the luxury segment. Part of the global WestRock packaging group based in Atlanta, US, it is the first commercial user of the Primefire 106.

MPS-WestRock managing director Steffen Schnizer said: ‘Our customers are extremely demanding. It is therefore important for us to use the most suitable machines for the specifications of the job.

‘For a long time, digital printing presses were not able to meet our customers’ high standards for quality and color fidelity. The Heidelberg Primefire 106 meets these requirements.’

Heidelberg identifies packaging printing as the strongest growing segment in the print media industry. Annual worldwide growth rates of three percent are expected over the next five years, increasing to up to 20 percent for digital packaging printing.

Heidelberg introduced Primefire 106 last year and has reported strong interest in the system. Production at the company’s Wiesloch-Walldorf site is already at capacity until mid-2019. Heidelberg is currently considering whether to expand capacity in order to meet the strong demand.

The second machine will be going to another customer in Germany this year, while the third will be going to a customer abroad at the beginning of next year.