HP Indigo and Sun Chemical partner for new digital coatings in packaging sector

HP Indigo Division has entered a collaboration agreement with US-based Sun Chemical to develop a range of low-cost digital coatings, in a bid to enable packaging applications to be printed digitally.

The digital coatings developed under the partnership are intended to support various brand owners, converters and printers, including overprint varnishes and adhesives that are customised to complement digital solutions.

Sun Chemical chief marketing officer Felipe Mellado said: “Digital printing in the packaging market offers brand owners a wide range of differentiation possibilities, making packaging more meaningful and an instrumental means of communication with customers.

“Printers and converters have already invested in digital presses and need specialist coatings and varnishes that would enable packaging applications to be printed digitally according to market requirements and standards.

“Sun Chemical brings a wealth of experience, insight and knowledge of the packaging industry and will work closely with HP Indigo to ensure the optimal performance of the digital coatings solutions.”

In a separate development, HP Indigo has also partnered with Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics business to speed up innovation in the flexible packaging sector.

The deal will allow HP Indigo to have access to the Dow Pack Studios network and technical facilities.

It will further enable Dow Pack Studios to expand its potential through access to HP Indigo's digital printing capabilities.

In addition, both the companies will be able to work together to advance the development of solutions for the flexible packaging industry by combining packaging material science with printing expertise.