Based in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, TriState operates two divisions; TriState Container, and ProCorr Display and Packaging. Its Idera installation will begin in October.

This press uses certified food-safe water-based inks on coated and uncoated corrugated sheets up to 1.6x2.8m and enables variable printing speeds between 59.7m/min and 119.8m/min, flexibility in terms of in-line priming, varnishing, and drying, and peripherals such as automatic pre-feeding and stacking.

TriState Container Corporation president Allen Friedman said: “I saw my first single-pass digital press in a corrugated converting operation about five years ago.

“What struck me was the potential impact this technology could have on addressing limitations of current analogue technologies, and the requirements converters place on packaging buyers to maintain internal efficiency and cost.

“As an independent, we are always looking for how we can create greater value for our customer, while building a competitive advantage for ourselves. We believe the Idera digital press positions TriState to achieve both.”

He added: “We envision internal and external benefits for TriState. Internally, we can move jobs to the digital press that are better suited to digital technology. Externally, we see this as a perfect fit for customers with emerging or proliferating brands. These types of jobs may be too small for flexo runs and too large for multi-pass.

“In the past, these brands were afraid of the associated time and costs when they wanted to improve print quality or make a design step change. Many have indicated a desire to change their order behaviour. We also see an opportunity to develop design capabilities for our customers.”

“We’re looking forward to promoting Idera’s high print quality to our customers and being able to print short and long runs with all the benefits of a digital print-on-demand solution, including reduced waste.

“Even more importantly, we have kicked off a long-term partnership with Xeikon as I believe they are one of the few providers with the competences, resources and approach to succeed in the digital corrugated box market.” 

Xeikon market segment manager for carton packaging Sebastien Stabel added: “Xeikon is, of course, excited about digital potential in the corrugated market, but it’s critical to successfully implement this reference installation. Together with TriState we have developed a business model as well as a technical solution to kick-off digital production.”

Xeikon, which is owned by Flint Group, teamed up with colleagues from Flint on the development of the Idera platform.

During a Xeikon Café TV session held yesterday (8 July) about the Idera technology, Stabel said the company’s focus with the Idera platform is mainly on the North American and European markets and that it had already seen traction “within the main countries that are there”.

Xeikon vice president for corrugated and solution services Daniel Velema added range pricing for the Idera “very much depends on what is included and excluded” but that the printer, dryer, and varnish station – excluding peripherals – would cost between €2m to €3m (£1.7m to £2.6m).