Israeli high-speed ink-jet firm Aprion has opened a 3,000-tonne annual capacity ink factory in Israel.

"This plant will enable Aprion to provide its environmentally-friendly ink to customers worldwide," said vice president of operations Eyal Ben-Amram.

It is the third factory Aprion has set up in preparation for the large-scale commercialisation of its range of high-speed ink-jet presses in 2002. The firm already has an ink-jet-head manufacturing plant and a digital press production line.

The ink factory will be operated in association with Tzah, an Israeli manufacturer of conventional printing inks.

Aprions ink is a water-based and waterproof ink that offers high abrasion resistance and colourfastness for use in the packaging, signage and home furnishing markets.