A first for the beverage carton industry, this investment taps the power of digital on-package printing to offer new possibilities for beverage brands

 

Tetra Pak (Switzerland) is to become the first company in the food and beverage carton industry to offer full-color digital printing on its carton packages, working in collaboration with Koenig & Bauer, a global leader in the field.

The digital printing technology will simplify the complexity of design handling, reducing time from design to print and opening up new opportunities for flexibility in order placement and product customization. Beverage brands can take advantage of added benefits like dynamic on-package printing and the ability to include a variety of designs within the same order.

Charles Brand, EVP, Product Management & Commercial Operations at Tetra Pak said, "We are committed to helping our customers explore new avenues with a truly ‘smart’ package, supporting their need for product customization, smaller batch sizes, greater traceability and the ability to interact with the consumer. Our investment in this digital printer demonstrates our commitment to support customers with future-proof technologies as the digital revolution transforms the way we all do business."

The full-width digital printer is currently being built by Koenig & Bauer and will be installed at Tetra Pak’s converting plant at Denton, Texas. Field testing of the new, digitally-printed carton packages is expected to begin in early 2020 with North American customers.

Carmen Becker, president and CEO of Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada, said, "Brands continue to look for opportunities to deliver greater customization and personalization of their products. We’re thrilled to offer our customers new and innovative ways to engage with consumers, all while increasing flexibility in the design and order process."

​Christoph Müller, member of the board of Koenig & Bauer said, "We are absolutely delighted that Tetra Pak has decided in favour of our digital printer. Collaboration between our companies is on an extremely constructive and trusting basis. I am sure that, together, we will significantly change the market for the benefit of Tetra Pak customers."