Tetra Pak says it will become the first company in the food and beverage carton industry to offer full-color digital printing on its carton packages, working in collaboration with Koenig & Bauer, a global leader in the field.
The digital printing technology will simplify the complexity of design handling, reducing the time from design to print and opening up new opportunities for flexibility in order placement and product customization. Beverage brands can take advantage of added benefits like dynamic on-package printing and the ability to include a variety of designs within the same order.
“We are committed to helping our customers explore new avenues with a truly ‘smart’ package, supporting their need for product customization, smaller batch sizes, greater traceability and the ability to interact with the consumer,” says Charles Brand, executive vice president of product management and commercial operations at Tetra Pak. “Our investment in this digital printer demonstrates our commitment to support customers with future-proof technologies as the digital revolution transforms the way we all do business.”
Koenig & Bauer is currently building the full-width digital printer and will install it at Tetra Pak’s converting plant in Denton, Texas. Field testing of the new digitally-printed carton packages is expected to begin in early 2020 with North American customers.
“Brands continue to look for opportunities to deliver greater customization and personalization of their products,” says Carmen Becker, president and CEO of Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada. “We’re thrilled to offer our customers new and innovative ways to engage with consumers, all while increasing flexibility in the design and order process.”
“We are absolutely delighted that Tetra Pak has decided in favor of our digital printer,” says Christoph Müller, member of the board of Koenig & Bauer. “Collaboration between our companies is on an extremely constructive and trusting basis. I am sure that, together, we will significantly change the market for the benefit of Tetra Pak customers.”
