－Strengthening the Development of New Applications for Inkjet Inks and Relationships with Brand Owners－
SAKATA INX CORPORATION (Representative Director, President & CEO: Yoshiaki Ueno) is pleased to announce that it has begun collaboration with iPrint Institute, a Swiss public research institute specializing in inkjet technology, for the purpose of advancing inkjet technology and developing new applications.
■ Background and Purpose of the Collaboration
In recent years, against the backdrop of growing demand in the printing industry for high-mix, low-volume production, improved production efficiency and reduced environmental impact, the scope of inkjet technology applications has been expanding; furthermore, the potential for innovation through inkjet technology is also being anticipated beyond the printing industry. Through this collaboration, we will combine our ink development technology with the research environment and expertise of iPrint Institute to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by expanding into new applications.
■ Details of the Collaboration
- Development of inks and technical cooperation for iPrint Institute’s development projects
- Exploration of applications in new fields
- Enhancement and acceleration of development through data accumulation and analysis
■ Features of SAKATA INX’s Inkjet Technology
- Pigment fine dispersion technology: Achieves high image quality and excellent stability
- Ink formulation technology: Provides coating film properties tailored to each application
- Primer technology: Enables excellent printability on various substrates
Going forward, SAKATA INX will continue to promote the advancement of inkjet technology and the development of new applications through collaboration with iPrint Institute. By integrating the ink development technologies that we have cultivated over the years and iPrint Institute’s research environment and expertise, SAKATA INX will continue to create new value beyond printing, while supporting customers in overcoming challenges and contributing to a sustainable society.
About SAKATA INX CORPORATION
Founded in 1896, SAKATA INX is the world's third largest chemical manufacturer in sales of printing inks, with operations in more than 20 countries and regions worldwide, including Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The company manufactures and sells printing inks used for various packages, beverage cans, and information media, industrial inkjet inks and color toners for digital printing, and image display materials for liquid crystal displays. Under the business theme of “Creation of Visual Communication Technology,” the company aims to “create an information culture that makes people's lives more comfortable” through environmentally-friendly and sustainable products and continues to take on the challenge of entering new fields.
https://www.inx.co.jp/english/
About iPrint Institute
iPrint Institute is a public research institute specializing in inkjet technology, affiliated with the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA Fribourg) of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO). Its main operation is applied research in inkjet technology. While inkjet technology is currently used primarily for image printing on flat surfaces, its potential applications are being explored in a wide range of industries, including electronics, 3D printing, biomedical fields, etc. Led by Yoshinori Domae, Director of Technology & Innovation, iPrint Institute provides cutting-edge research and development activities as well as training courses related to inkjet technology. The institute is also equipped with an environment for evaluating various types of inks.