Focusing its commitment to the packaging and converting sectors during IPEX 2002, Xaar plc will launch new technology products and customer support initiatives on its stand (Hall 19, Stand 329) during the show. These are all designed to fulfil the unique requirements of printers specialising in package printing, coding and marking. The leading digital inkjet technology innovator will launch its latest advanced 318-nozzle greyscale printhead. Offering eight levels of greyscale, and designed to offer near photographic quality for a range of applications, this revolutionary new printhead will focus primarily on UV printing solutions for packaging and product decoration, such as smart cards and ID cards. Also on show, will be a new UV curing ink developed in conjunction with Sunjet, the inkjet division of Sun Chemicals, the largest supplier of inks to the printing industry. The new ink is specially formulated for use in web printing applications onto flexible and semi-flexible media such as vinyls for display graphics, PVC and olefinic plastics used in the packaging and graphic arts markets. Good adhesion is achieved on a wide range of plastics together with superior lightfastness and colour gamut, making it especially suitable for outdoor applications. "The printing industry is looking for new print solutions to address the increasing demand for personalisation and customisation requiring shorter print runs, as well as the constant pressures for greater cost efficiency," comments Jan Fineman, Chief Executive Officer at Xaar." "We are increasingly seeing evidence that the flexibility of our piezo drop-on-demand digital inkjet technology is particularly suited to meeting these print requirements. This is especially true in the packaging, coding and marking sectors, where digital inkjet printing is becoming a highly viable option to allow print consumers to meet the ever more varied and changing needs of their markets." To complement its new product announcements, Xaar will also launch its new ‘Approved Integrator Programme’. The programme is designed to support companies interested in developing and integrating Xaar’s inkjet technology into their existing operations, but who lack some of the specialised know-how and experience. By establishing the Approved Integrator Programme, Xaar will be able to offer its customers a solution that bridges the gap between developing print machine components such as printheads, inks, software and peripherals with the finished print solution integrated within the packaging workflow. Working with some of its integration partners and key market specialists, Xaar will also deliver a series of exciting customer-focused seminars on its stand. Topics will include: insights into digital printing opportunities for packaging; an overview of Xaar’s ground-breaking greyscale technology and its benefits to the market; an insight into ink and chemistry requirements for digital ink jet printing and advice on integration.