Xeikon targeting big growth in folding cartons

Digital print specialist Xeikon has outlined plans to make its presence in folding cartons as big as its activities in the label market.

Xeikon had a 3500 digital press on show at Ipex 2014 producing folding cartons

Xeikon has made a number of developments in its technology in relation its folding carton suite, including the launch of the Alpine fuser drum and the Durable Clear toner. Speaking exclusively to Labels & Labeling’s sister publication Packprint World, Filip Weymans, business development manager for labels and packaging at Xeikon, said: ‘At the moment, self-adhesive labels account for around 75 percent of our business, with the other quarter attributed to heat transfer, in-mold label and folding carton printing. Our intention is to grow our folding carton market presence, and to make it as big as self-adhesive labels.’

The next Xeikon Café, taking place May 20-22 May in Antwerp, Belgium, will focus on packaging innovation revolving around digital printing.

Xeikon itself will have a fully equipped 3000 series digital press running across the three-day event, while partners and other suppliers with an interest in digital folding carton production will exhibit their technologies to attendees. This is to include: Actega, Argos Solutions, Michelman and Squid Inks from the consumables and tools segment; finishing specialists AB Graphic, Bograma, KAMA and Highcon; print media companies 3M, Iggesund, Stora Enso, Treofan and UPM; software suppliers including CERM, Chili Publish, Hybrid Software and Labeltraxx; as well as RotoMetrics, Meech and ThermoflexX.

The Xeikon Café Packaging Innovations will have three strands, covering both the business and technical aspects of digital package printing, as well as the table-top exhibition. Partners and suppliers will give presentations regarding technical topics, with converters who have already adopted digital to provide a corporate perspective.

‘There is a great opportunity in digital folding carton printing, and the Xeikon Café Packaging Innovations will provide an informal knowledge exchange platform covering the different aspects of digitizing print production,’ said Weymans.