ZRP Printing Group, Zhongshan, is the seventh printer around the world to be confirmed for installation of a Nanographic digital press. The Chinese printer joins a growing list with four presses already installed; in Israel, Germany, Switzerland and the USA, along with announcements of the first UK and French customers.
Local Australian and NZ printers who’ve signed letters of intent will have to wait until at least after drupa in 2020 before there’ll be one in our neck of the woods.
To support the first Chinese installation Landa Corporation has opened an office in Guangzhou to service what it hopes will be one of its largest markets for the new inkjet technology.
According to Michael Mogridge, Asia Pacific regional director, the move signifies the next stage in the ramp up of the company’s production. “It’s starting to pick up well. We’re taking it carefully, making sure it’s all deliverable. The print quality is fine; now we’re focusing on the dependability, like with any new technology,” he said.
Landa is no different to other press manufacturers in focusing on the Chinese market. Mogridge confirmed the importance of the Chinese market to the company, especially for packaging. “Twenty years ago practically no Chinese women used cosmetics. Now over two hundred million do and there are two hundred more who want to.”
He identifies a growing requirement for ‘green’ printing, especially for water-based ink, as a key driver in favour of Landa Nanography presses. There is increasing pressure on printing companies to clean up their processes if they want to remain in urban areas close to their customers.
ZRP is a major packaging print provider with four plants throughout China.