Technology | What to Watch
market in terms of print solutions. “While the environment will continue to be a major focus for us moving forward, we also constantly speak with our customers to help develop new products that match their other requirements. On the subject of textiles, our development in this area recently took a signifi cant step forward with the acquisition of the stock and intellectual property of Brook International. The company started out specialising in traditional fl ag fabrics but in more recent years moved into digitally printed polyester fabrics for fl ag and display applications. Brook International’s products are now integrated into the Soyang Europe portfolio, and distributed from our facility in Altham, Lancashire.” Michael Crook, commercial director at CMYUK,
says the environment remains a key driver, “but at the same time the materials must be fi t for purpose and perform at the same or at higher levels than traditional types. For example, we currently supply a recycled yarn backlit textile for UV and Latex printing. We aim to take this further with a dye-sublimation version that has a performance second to none when backlit and stretched into SEG systems. We are currently experimenting with various raw materials to make this product the very best we can. “An additional material that is widely used within the display industry is black back textile and once again we aim to provide a material that reaches further with its environmental credentials. “Further developments are within the décor and
built environment sector. Educating our customers and end users on how large format textiles can provide a fi nish that exceeds traditional or heavier substrates that may still be used for walls, ceilings, panels or exhibition and retail builds, our Arkutex division explains this perfectly.” Guandong president Edoardo Elmi says the
company’s R+D has focused on three main areas over the past two years: “The fi rst focus is on glass decoration and
glazing. Today, this can be achieved with specifi c combinations of media texturing and surface fi nishing, together with the most modern printing
systems (CMYK plus white and transparent). This allows to obtain special effects such as embossing and embroidery on glass. These decorations are highly appealing and shift the application focus to the windows of temporary shops, pubs, restaurants, and retail stores. This offers an alternative solution to traditional systems used for glass printing which are expensive and energy intensive.
“The second direction is PVC-free across the board. Current media for digital printing are predominantly PVC-based or PVC-multi-layer combinations with PET or PP
R+D EXTENDS BEYOND PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT - IT OPTIMISES APPLICATION AND PROCESSES
. This is appropriate
because visual communication mainly occurs in crowded indoor locations, requiring self- extinguishing materials. Nowadays, digital printing extends to other applications beyond visual communication. Therefore, Guandong has introduced PVC-free versions alongside its current product lines, including OWV, roll pop-up banner, super wide banner, clink, self-adhesive, and more.
“The third direction is the development of
Fiberboo, a biodegradable and compostable fabric made from natural bamboo fi bers. Fiberboo is currently printable only with UV inks, but our R+D department is working on making this innovative support compatible with Latex inks as well.
Ease of use is a priority for media R+D at
Drytac as its academy manager Kieran Blacknall points out. “Our aim of making products easier to use for end users sits at the centre of our R+D. You can see this with the introduction of Polar Grip Air in North America. The addition of air egress technology will save end user’s time installing out in the fi eld or many application surfaces. “We’re also adding products that cure end user pain points, which can be seen with the recent global launch of ReTac Clear PET, a clear fi lm utilising our unique Retac adhesive, for permanently repositionable decals.” Metamark’s R+D prioritises continuing
TEST IT OUT
Heard of ‘Durat Plus’? It’s the first commercially available solid surface material combining recycled PET resin and recycled solid surface. It contains up to 80% recycled materials and is fully recyclable. The uniform base colour is filled with speckles made of recycled solid surface. The initial version of Durat Plus - just on the market - is white, has a fairly uniform
overall appearance, and a very subtle texture. It comes in sheets that can be used to create surfaces of nearly endless lengths, with various edge designs and inlays, or with seams that can be sanded to be imperceptible for use anticipated use in public spaces as well as domestic settings. Fancy trying it out on your inkjet kit? Jane Campbell, strategy director at Durat, says the company knows it works with Iaser and screenprint, but that it has yet to be tested with inkjet. The company is happy to provide samples for a PSP wanting to trial it.
20 | June/July 2024
improvements in its digital media portfolio that furthers the scope of its MetaStream media recycling process, and in new product introductions that enable applications which can grow the market for those involved in signs and graphic production. “Metamark’s R+D is focussed on further
developing MetaStream, the company’s process that recycles recovered graphics, even those that are laminated and printed, at end-of-life, and turns them into useful articles that can themselves be recycled time and again. MetaStream also deals with production waste, including weed-waste, laminates and liners - Metamark uses the process itself for its own production waste. The scheme is available to larger printers in the UK and our R+D is working to develop the means to bring MetaStream to a wider audience, so benefi tting the environment overall.”
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