Italian corrugated producer ICO - Industria Cartone Ondulato is installing an HP PageWide C500 Press this summer, as part of its business transformation to digital post-print production.

The HP PageWide press installation will begin in July at ICO’s site in Pianella, in Italy’s Pescara province on the southeast coast of Italy, where ICO recently began operating a new Agnati Quantum2 corrugator delivering high standard corrugated boards optimized for digital printing.

“High-volume digital printing is set to disrupt the corrugated packaging industry. ICO is taking corrugated printing to the next level by launching on-demand, digital services with the offset-matching HP PageWide C500 and delivering this innovation to our customers,” said Manlio Cocchini, CEO at ICO.
Founded in 1952, ICO has grown steadily over the years to become one of Italy’s leading privately owned corrugated business, now employing over 250 people and operating at four plants.

Digital printing will provide greater customization and flexibility for ICO’s customers throughout Italy, including major and small brands requiring smaller quantities and short delivery times. Moreover, digital technology enables fast reaction to modifications in box graphics, sizes and branding, therefore reducing inventory for the brands.

Mr Cocchini noted the HP PageWide solution using true water-based inks will help ICO deliver food-safe packaging as well as minimize the impact of printing in paper recycling.

HP’s water-based inks are also odorless and free of UV-reactive chemistries, enabling a wide range of packaging applications, including primary and secondary packaging for sensitive uses such as food and personal care while requiring no additional barriers.

HP has also fulfilled the Intertek Guidelines for the Safe Use of Printing Inks in accordance with global regulatory and industry guidance, including Swiss Ordinance, Nestlé Guidance, FDA, EU Framework, and others.