Xaar reports progress in packaging market

Xaar, the FTSE 250 inkjet printing technology group, has reported progress in its packaging market. It said that its technology was "at the hear" of a number of digital inkjet packaging solutions launched or demonstrated by its partners at various exhibitions in September. This included FFEI, a developer, manufacturer and supplier of digital imaging solutions, which launched its new-generation Graphium digital UV inkjet printer. The product will be distributed by Fujifilm in both the USA and Europe. Xaar 1001 printheads were specified by FFEI to deliver "the quality that customers require for label, packaging and speciality print applications". Ian Dinwoodie, Xaar's Chief Executive, said: "It is pleasing to see the progress being made in this significant market. Digital print of full colour graphic labels is clearly gaining traction in the packaging industry as evidenced by the strength of our original equipment manufacturer?s' product line-up recently exhibited. "The first public 'direct-to-shape' demonstrations [which took place at the Drinktec event] clearly created an industry buzz, and we look forward to our partners moving through their field trials and into commercialisation. Whilst this recent activity is not expected to have any material impact on Xaar's 2013 financial results, the positive feedback received reinforces the potential for Xaar's technology to create transformational and disruptive solutions across multiple discrete markets".NR Xaar