ECMA Congress 2018

HP on the importance of digital folding carton capabilities

27-Sep-2018 - Last updated on 28-Sep-2021 at 12:48 GMT

Digital printing is growing and converters need more sophisticated technology to differentiate themselves and add value to brands, according to HP.

Speaking to BakeryandSnacks at the ECMA (European Carton Makers Association) Congress, in Riga, Lativa last week, (September 20-21) Bartu Mompeán, EMEA folding carton business developer, HP, exhibited the latest packaging to attract millennials.

Greater self-expression

“Digital technology adoption is being embraced by the growing millennial population. They demand customization and there is a need for greater self-expression both in the online and offline world,” he said.

He added digital printing is now becoming more than just price or run lengths. It is about making an emotional connection with consumers. This is coupled with minimum down time, fast production runs and low set-up time.

“With e-commerce on the rise, digital printing technology is expected to grow,” said Mompeán.

One company to take advantage of the HP Indigo 30000 is French packaging producer Thibault Bergeron based in Muzillac, Brittany.

Chocolate & pastry makers

Thibault Bergeron specializes in creating, designing, producing and customizing cardboard packaging with added value, and clients include chocolate makers, pastry makers and winegrowers.

Thibault Bergeron wanted a digital press that could print with inks that are certified for indirect contact with foodstuffs. This led it to the HP Indigo 30000 digital press, with enhanced customization options, more effective stock management functions and rapid printing capabilities said to have helped the company improve the range of services it provides, giving it complete control over small print runs on all types of paper and cardboard.

It was also looking to diversify to establish a presence on markets with more added value.

“Our clients want more speed and flexibility in the way we produce their packaging,” said Franz Thibault, CEO, Thibault Bergeron.

“They are no longer prepared to commit to excessively high quantities and now demand the highest levels of responsiveness to deliver as fast as possible. So we had to adapt to this reality, and the purchase of an HP Indigo 30000 became a necessity, particularly to provide our clients with more creative packaging that we could produce in smaller quantities, using inks that had been certified for indirect contact with foodstuffs.”