Future Links March 22nd
Today our news roundup from the printing industry covers Konica Minolta’s industrial print business unit, Xeikon’s plans for drupa 2016, Selectionnist’s business model at the intersection of print and e-commerce, ColorPod’s ability to bring colors to desktop 3D printers, the rebranding of Environmental Inks, KBA’s large-format press at drupa 2016 and Algix new algae-based filament.
Konica Minolta creates special industrial print business unit
Konica Minolta sees untapped potential in the industrial print business. To better serve this market segment, the company is launching a new industrial print business unit. This will help create additional value for resellers from commercial production printing activities and increase margin opportunities, according to the company.
More at ARN
Xeikon is ready for first drupa after acquisition
“Direct. Dedicated. Digital”, is Xeikon’s motto for drupa 2016. This is the first drupa Xeikon attends after its acquisition by the Flint Group. Xeikon will showcase innovations across the board, ranging from workflow efficiencies at the digital front end, the print engines themselves, consumables and Xeikon’s next-generation approach to finishing. The Trillium One and Fusion are expected to attract a lot of attention.
More at Packaging Europe
Selectionnist connects print products and e-commerce
Printed products are not known for providing instant gratification when it comes to shopping for the latest fashion, accessories or gadgets. The website Selectionnist aims to change that. Users can take a photo of a product they have seen in a newspaper or magazine and upload it to Selectionnist. The website will then display places to buy the product, reviews, instruction and other useful information. More than 5,000 brands have signed up to be presented on the website.
More at Strategy + Business
Add-on converts desktop 3D printers into multi-color printers
Multi-color 3D printing on a budget has traditionally been limited to the reliance on multiple extruder heads swapping between pre-loaded filament spools. True full-color 3D printing has only been available on a commercial level through inkjet based 3D printers. The low-budget ColorPod add-on is gearing up to change that by providing multi-color capabilities to standard 3D printers.
More at 3ders
Environmental Inks rebrand to reflect Siegwerk’s growing recognition
Environmental Inks, a part of the Siegwerk group and an ink supplier to the narrow web label market in the US and Canada, is rebranding to align the organization’s image with Siegwerk’s global strategy throughout 2016. Environmental Inks will begin operating under the new brand of Siegwerk Environmental Inks, with the rebrand described as a ‘positive outcome of the company’s continued growth and brand recognition’.
More at Labels & Labeling
KBA presents highlight for packaging printers
With the enhanced Rapida 145 KBA-Sheetfed, KBA will probably be the only exhibitor presenting a high-tech large-format press at drupa 2016. The six-color press with coater and automated pile logistics on display will be equipped with a host of highlights aimed at automating the printing process further and making this even more effective.
More at Packaging Europe
Algix 3D launches new algae-based filament
As 3D printing is becoming more popular in classrooms and at home, the search for environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic filaments is on. Algix recently presented its algae-based DURA filament. According to the company, DURA has better material properties than ABS, lower toxicity, reduced volatile generation and is environmentally sustainable.
More at TCT