SpeciaLase targets labels for near-term growth

DataLase and Sato joined forces back in October 2015 and launched SpeciaLase to introduce DataLase’s in-line digital printing technology to Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. Since then, SpeciaLase has made several appointments within its sales and technical teams to help secure and grow its position in the market. Discussions with potential partners and customers, including corrugated box manufacturers and those in the foodservice sector, have been taking place with above expectation results.

In the short term, SpeciaLase will concentrate on direct marking and labeling opportunities across a range of markets and applications, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and fast moving consumer goods.

Hisashi Asai, SpeciaLase president, said: ‘During the last four months, SpeciaLase has been focused on developing new business partnerships with laser suppliers and ink manufacturers in the region with the aim of expanding sales of our revolutionary in-line digital printing solutions. We are proud of our new partnerships and what they will soon bring to the Asia-Pacific market.’

The DataLase in-line digital printing technology can be used for ‘inkless’ printing of barcodes, variable information, images or graphics on the packing/filling line. Laser reactive pigments are incorporated into an ink or coating and conventionally printed onto a product or package without the need for any additional printing equipment to be purchased by the printer/converter. When exposed to a low power carbon dioxide or NIR diode array laser at the point of packing or filling, a color change reaction is generated resulting in a high-definition, premium quality digital print. DataLase said this enables high-speed, fast turnaround printing, which is ideal for in-line customized print and real-time marketing to maximize brand owner and consumer value. The system is inkless at the point of printing, thus removing the need for consumables in production environments at the point of packing and filling.

Mark Naples, vice president of business development in Europe and APAC at DataLase, added: ‘Our strategic partnership highlights the belief that Sato has in our technology and how we will work together to deliver world-class solutions. SpeciaLase will allow us to deliver revolutionary in-line digital printing solutions to the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in greater value to customers.’

DataLase is exhibiting at drupa, and is included in the event preview to be published in L&L issue 2, 2016