Xeikon has confirmed it will showcase a long list of innovations at Labelexpo Europe 2023. The company will focus on helping converters succeed by making label and packaging production easier and highly sustainable.

The company is set to take its Cheetah technology to new heights by introducing Cheetah 3.0, representing a significant leap forward in sustainable production. 

Xeikon says it is poised to revolutionize the manufacturing of labels and packaging, playing a pivotal role in minimising the industry’s carbon footprint.

The next-generation, food-safe Xeikon Eco toner is formulated with over 60 per cent high-grade recycled PET, meeting the demand for sustainability and ensuring compliance with the stringent regulations governing packaging components and recyclability. 

Eco toner will be available for the high-end presses in the Cheetah Series – the Xeikon CX300 and Xeikon CX500.

Xeikon vice-president of marketing Filip Weymans said, “With its exceptional print quality, high reliability, and eco-friendly composition, Eco toner makes a meaningful contribution in Xeikon’s unwavering commitment to delivering both high-performance and environmentally responsible printing solutions.

“Using Eco toner can reduce the carbon footprint of the printing operation by 10 per cent, and importantly, it will not increase costs unlike other eco solutions. We are also proud to say that all Xeikon toners remain the market’s most food-safe technology for digital printing.”

Xeikon has also developed the new Quality Measurement Module (QMM), which can be fitted on all Cheetah 3.0 CX Series presses as an option. It is responsible for the quality assurance of the printed output, closely monitoring the density and registration throughout the print run. 

Weymans added, “By eliminating waste and guaranteeing high quality, the Xeikon QMM will allow printers to deliver perfect labels to their customers more cost-effective. It is another great innovation from Xeikon that helps to support the advancement of sustainability in digital label production”.

Another innovation in Brussels will be a new Sustainability Scorecard, which offers a more transparent means of proving compliance with various regulations. It analyses the carbon footprint of each Xeikon press, right down to the individual components of the consumables. It identifies food compliance, VOCs emissions, recyclability and energy use to give a complete overview.

When applied to the Xeikon Panther Series of inkjet presses configured with new PantherCure LED inks, the Scorecard will demonstrate why they are the most sustainable digital label presses on the market from a carbon footprint perspective. 

Xeikon will also use Labelexpo 2023 as a platform for the European premiere of its new Titon toner technology, developed for paper-based flexible packaging applications, such as stand-up pouches and sachets.  

The first press presented with Titon technology is the Xeikon TX-500 which prints in up to five colours at 30 metres per minute in 1,200dpi. 

According to Xeikon, the 520mm-wide press will be instrumental in opening new market opportunities in paper-based labels and flexible packaging, helping converters to future-proof their businesses and respond to consumers’ concerns for the environment. 

The Xeikon TX-500 press will run live in line with a digital embellishment module from Kurz, producing full-colour, high-end labels with digital foil.

Xeikon will also participate in the Automation Arena 2023, set up to demonstrate fully automated label production, from artwork PDF to final dispatch of label rolls. It will bring together leading suppliers in the industry, who will collaborate to present the possibilities and advantages of a unified workflow.

The company will also be present at the new dedicated Sustainability Trail and the Flex Pack Trail, highlighting the benefits of Eco toner, Sustainability Scorecard and Titon technology. 

“At Labelexpo Europe 2023, Xeikon will showcase innovations that contribute to the seamless and sustainable growth of label converters. We will be there to highlight how our latest offerings enable a thriving and agile business environment while also demonstrating how we are prioritising environmental consciousness with impactful products and solutions,” Weymans added.