The firm, a joint venture between Koenig & Bauer and Durst that is co-developing the VariJet 106 for folding carton applications, held an open house this week in Radebeul, Germany, attended by more than 60 delegates from key packaging clients. 

The first beta site, at an unnamed printer in Central Europe, starts printing this month with commercial production slated for H2. 

Koenig & Bauer Durst said a second beta site would also start up in a few weeks. It is also located in Central Europe. 

The VariJet 106 prints at up to 5,500sph and uses water-based food safe inks. 

K&B Durst managing director Robert Stabler said he was pleased with the “substantial progress” that had been made. 

“Production is being ramped up and new machines will become available in the second half of 2023 on the back of the relatively high demand we are witnessing,” he stated. 

Stabler said the press brought together the strengths of digital inkjet and classic offset printing, and would allow customers to optimise production and cut costs.

Attendees included packaging groups that have UK operations.