Following the successful installation of their first InterioJet press in 2021, décor paper printing company Chiyoda has acquired a second InterioJet water-based inkjet printing press from Agfa to enhance its laminate décor paper print production capabilities.
Mortsel, Belgium – Chiyoda supplies printed décor paper with exclusive designs to flooring, furniture, and car laminate panel makers, catering to their unique requirements. Just like their first InterioJet 3300i, the new InterioJet 2250i will be installed at Chiyoda’s European headquarters in Belgium. The inkjet presses complete Chiyoda’s gravure presses, yet also offer additional functionality, as they are not limited by cylinder length, and therefore able to print any design in any quantity.
InterioJet offers reliable digital printing 24/7 with consistent quality. The water-based primer and inks are compatible with the traditional panel manufacturing processes of melamine lamination and impregnation. The outstanding print quality-price ratio of Chiyoda’s first InterioJet printing press, coupled with its ease of use were decisive factors in the company’s decision to invest in a second press. “The InterioJet has proven to be an invaluable addition to our operations, offering unparalleled print quality and great versatility,” says Peter Coenegrachts, COO of Chiyoda. “Our customers can use the prints in exactly the same way as gravure prints without any modification to their laminate production process. By investing in a second press, we are further expanding our capability to do shorter print runs, allowing us to meet the increasing demand for prints on demand and just-in-time deliveries.”
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Chiyoda to drive the digital printing revolution in the laminated surface market,” says Mike Horsten, Business Manager InterioJet at Agfa. “Building on Agfa’s expertise in chemistry, inks and software, the InterioJet ensures the highest print quality and color consistency. We are thrilled to witness how our presses cater perfectly to Chiyoda’s needs and enable them to deliver exceptional products to their customers.”
The InterioJet presses are powered by Agfa’s Asanti workflow software, which includes a plug-in for décor image optimization. Asanti, in conjunction with AVA CAD CAM, the industry standard software, ensures a close match for gravure prints. This guarantees consistent, high-quality results.
Chiyoda Europe will showcase its latest innovations, including InterioJet samples, at Interzum (Cologne, Germany, 9-12 May 2023), one of the world’s leading trade fairs for furniture production and interior design. Interzum is aimed at manufacturers, designers and architects of furniture, interior design, and retail products as well as suppliers and manufacturers of components and machinery.
InterioJet: More information
Agfa’s InterioJet accelerates the transformation from analog to digital printing in the laminated surface by offering a cost-efficient solution for medium and short print production runs of décor paper. The eco-friendly water-based inkjet press comes in two models: the InterioJet 3300i can print on two rolls of decor paper simultaneously – each with a width of up to 157 cm and a weight of up to 700 kg – at a speed of up to 340 m²/h, whereas the InterioJet 2250i handles a single roll with a width of up to 2250 mm and a weight of up to 1200 kg at a speed up to 336 m²/h. These presses are characterized by superior color saturation and contrast. They also match typical color profiles in the decorative industry. Agfa has developed a water-based ink set called CRYKlk for printers that perfectly matches the lamination quality requirements as well as the existing production process.
Chiyoda
Chiyoda Europa NV produces premium decor papers using ultra-modern five- and four-color presses. Chiyoda’s customers can choose from more than 2,00 designs in the furniture industry, building interiors, panels, and floor coverings. These range from trendy fantasy images to natural wood decors. In its Genk, Belgium premises, the company employs around 175 people. Chiyoda Gravure Corporation, Tokyo (Japan) is the sole shareholder of this company.