Düsseldorf, Germany, Konica Minolta's newly launched AccurioJet KM-1 sheet-fed B2+ UV inkjet digital press, and the bizhub PRESS C71hc light production press, have been recognised as best in their class by the European Digital Press (EDP) Association, an industry forum for digital print production established 10 years ago by six trade publications from around Europe.

One of the tasks of EDP is to acknowledge the value of the research and development tasks of the industry, granting awards to the best products of the year and to inform all European professionals about such distinctions.

Konica Minolta's AccurioJet KM-1 has been named "Best cut sheet colour B2+ printer" in the 2016 EDP Awards, while the Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C71hc has won the "Best cut sheet colour light production" category. The Awards were presented to the company at the official EDP Award Ceremony, at the drupa fair in Düsseldorf.

The AccurioJet KM-1 UV inkjet press has received its commercial launch at drupa 2016. The B2+ format press is targeted at commercial, books and packaging printing sectors, and is the result of a technology partnership with Komori. Capable of printing up to 3,000 single-sided B2 sheets per hour at up to 1,200 dpi, the KM-1 was installed for the first time in Europe at beta site PLS Print Logistic Services in Markkleeberg, Germany, at the start of 2016.

The Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C71hc is an SRA3 digital press aimed at commercial printing and high volume CRD environments. The 71 A4 pages-per-minute press uses a unique High Chroma (hc) toner which widens the colour gamut and adds vibrancy to CMYK-printed RGB images.

Mark Hinder, Head of Market Development, International Marketing Division at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said: "We are delighted to learn of these accolades for two of our most technologically advanced systems. These awards will be welcomed both by our hard-working R&D staff and by our customers, who continue to place faith in Konica Minolta's ability to innovate and broaden their printing horizons. We always value the opinions of our colleagues in the trade press so it is most gratifying to receive such recognition."

Visit Konica Minolta's drupa stand, A65, Hall 8B