HP has launched a new high-speed, post-print digital corrugated press designed to help converters optimise manufacturing costs and improve operational efficiency for the production of corrugated packaging.

The HP PageWide C550 Press, which is based on the C500, is said to offer enhanced productivity and value to the industrial packaging industry.

“It uses HP’s Thermal Inkjet technology and true water-based inks to deliver consistent offset print quality at fast production speeds, while also supporting packaging converters’ circular economy goals,” HP stated.

With a speed of 90 linear meters per minute, the C550 is capable of producing high-quality flexo and litho boxes at a constant speed, without slowing. HP said the press will also help converters to optimise inventories, reduce obsolescence, and accelerate turnaround times.

David Tomer, general manager of HP post-print corrugated solutions, said: “HP is continuing its investment in the packaging market to create new opportunities for packaging converters and brands to benefit from the analogue to digital transformation.

“We are very excited to deliver the C550 press to the corrugated industry. It is built on the field-proven success of the C500 press and allows converters to economically produce flexo and litho boxes at high speeds without slowing down the press.

“We are constantly working on innovative solutions that not only improve post-print stability and productivity for converters, but also meet the quality and flexibility demands of brands for packaging.”

Available for installation later this year, HP will be delivering an introductory presentation about the C550 at the CCE International 2023 show in Munich on 14 March.

Corrugated packaging specialist Saica Group has ordered the C550 for its operation in Viana, Spain. The press is set to be installed later this year and will support increased plant capacity for corrugated packaging production.