Ball Packaging Europe Signs Long-Term Technology Agreement for Printing

Using the digital printing technique developed by Ball Packaging Europe in collaboration with Tonejet, it is possible to produce beverage cans each with an individual design.

27 Jul 2009 Ball Packaging Europe, one of the leading beverage can makers in Europe, and Tonejet, the British manufacturer of advanced electro-static drop-on-demand digital print engines, signed yesterday a strategic technology agreement. According to the terms of the contract, Tonejet will supply print engine technology and grant licences in respect of the printing of various packaging products belonging to Ball's international product portfolio. "This contract is a milestone in one of our most important innovative projects: the digital printing of beverage cans", explains Gerrit Heske, President of Ball Packaging Europe. "We have created a sustainable basis to advance and further develop this seminal technology."

The contract also includes a global service and maintenance agreement which ensures that Ball has access to Tonejet’s support in next-generation packaging print applications across the world. A prototype of the digital printing machine was installed at the beverage can plant in Haßloch in the spring of this year. The signing of the contract was preceded by a longer pilot phase.

Using the digital printing technique developed by Ball Packaging Europe in collaboration with Tonejet, it is possible to produce beverage cans each with an individual design. This means that the technology opens up completely new market potential, in particular in respect of promotional campaigns and the use of beverage cans at big events.

"I was personally involved in the technology project with Tonejet from the very start and therefore I am aware of the potential which this innovation offers brand producers when it comes to printing packaging. Digital printing opens up completely new options for us and our customers", says Gerrit Heske.

Ray Southam, CEO of Tonejet stresses: "Now Ball has certainty over the long-term supply of our digital printing technology.  This agreement typifies what companies need to allow them to cooperate more closely during new process developments.  I firmly believe that the easiest way that major advances can be made profitably during recession is through such closer collaboration."