Mortsel, Belgium, and Siegburg, Germany – Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co.KGaA, one of the leading international suppliers of printing inks for packaging applications and labels, and Agfa Graphics, a leading supplier in prepress offset and inkjet print, have entered into an important strategic alliance for digital packaging inks.

The contract signed between the two companies includes a business transfer from Agfa Graphics to Siegwerk of a selected OEM customer list, access to know-how, intellectual property and services in the domain of UV curable digital inkjet inks for the single pass packaging and labels industry.

''This strategic alliance is a perfect fit for both of us,'' says Tom Cloots, Director Industrial Inkjet Agfa NV. ''Packaging and label printers are increasingly attracted by the performance and quality of the Agfa inks that are used in a wide variety of printing systems. With this deal, we allow Siegwerk to extensively leverage on our strong network with OEM print head and equipment manufacturers as well as on our know-how and intellectual property in the domain of UV curable digital inks for packaging. At the same time, Agfa continues to focus on the other domains of the growing industrial print segment where Agfa has stronger market access potential."

"With this deal we are bridging the best of two worlds. While we will continue to rely on Agfa's existing strong collaboration with OEMs and print head manufacturers, we will be able to offer our packaging market access and application know-how to these new partners", says Matthieu Carni, Director Business Unit Inkjet Siegwerk.

Both companies will work closely together to ensure a handover of business without any interference for the customers of both companies. Agfa will continue to manufacture on behalf of Siegwerk for several months to support a smooth transition for the customers. After the transition period, Siegwerk will produce the new inks and varnishes according to the highest quality and safety standards at its own inkjet manufacturing center in Annemasse, France. With its global commercial network, Siegwerk then will be able to offer its new UV inkjet portfolio to customers worldwide.

The parties have agreed not to disclose any financial details.