The HP T1100 is the recently announced 2.8m-wide simplex colour inkjet web press that is being co-developed by HP and KBA and is the first product to arise from the partnership they announced at Graph Expo in 2014.
It will print corrugated top liner rolls at speeds of up to 183m/min and will enable many individual jobs to be combined together on a roll; once printed, the rolls can be placed directly onto existing 2.5m or 2.8m corrugators.
No date has been given for the install, although HP and KBA have previously stated that the T1100 will have limited market availability in 2016.
Meanwhile, DS Smith has already installed an HP T400 Simplex Colour Inkjet Web Press at its Belper digital preprint R&D centre last month.
The narrow-web press, which can print four colours onto the liner prior to corrugating, precedes the arrival of the wide-web machine, which is more compatible with high-volume FMCG corrugated packaging needs.
DS Smith said the investment would allow it to deliver products faster, customise batches to support brand and marketing initiatives, deliver short and long print runs, and ensure consistent print quality.
Stefano Rossi, divisional chief executive for DS Smith, said: "We invest in the latest printing technology at an early stage to ensure our customers have unrivalled access to the highest quality and widest range of printing techniques.
"We look forward to developing digital alongside our other print processes; the combination of speed, quality and agility provided by our extensive range of printing options opens up many opportunities for our customers.
"This is a big investment; it shows our determination to be at the forefront of technology, to lead the market and to continually enhance the service and support we provide to our customers."
Eric Wiesner, general manager for HP’s Inkjet High-speed Production Solutions division, added: "We believe our HP T400 Simplex Color Inkjet Web Press and the HP T1100 Color Inkjet Web Press preprint solution will provide DS Smith innovative new capabilities, and that combined with DS Smith’s vision and focus around quality and customer service will help us sharpen our packaging presses offering to the market."
