(Watch David Zwang’s interview with Agfa’s Matt Brooks here and Arnaud Callega here.) 

Agfa’s first foray into production inkjet was with the introduction of Dotrix in 2004, a product that was ahead of its time and ultimately abandoned. Over the years they have continued to build their digital imaging business around the sign and display market through internal product development and a series of acquisitions. Recently they have also entered the industrial print market with their InterioJet water based inkjet system for interior decoration of laminate floors and furniture. Each of these applications require high performance inkjet inks and fluid chemistries, one of Agfa’s core technology strengths and a profitable consumable stream. All of this background brings the right skills and technologies to the introduction of the Agfa Speedset 1060 digital carton press, currently the most productive digital carton press.

OK…so digital carton production is growing, but is still a very, very small percentage of total carton production. In fact, according the Smithers projections, in 2028, total global carton production volume will approach 155.55 B m². Of that approximately 2.86 B m² will be relegated to digital production. While it doesn’t seem like much, as we have learned in the other digital label and packaging transitions, the value of digital production is higher per m² both in real terms as well as a result of better plant resource management.