Kurz has acquired the digital print enhancement and finishing division of Switzerland-based Steinemann Technology. Steinemann based in St Gallen, is a manufacturer and distributor of wide-belt sanding machines for the panel industry and UV varnishing and lamination machines for the print and packaging industry. At LabelExpo Brussels in 2017, the Steinemann digital enhancement module was launched as a part of the Heidelberg Gallus Labelfire digital press. Digital enhancement or postpress decoration is the fast rising ancillary segment in the label, commercial digital printing, carton and even the flexible packaging industry.
Kurz which is well known as the leader in metallic inks and foil decoration intends to run the division as an independent subsidiary. It plans to use the Steinemann brand alongside its own digital metal products family. The company will support the full range of Steinemann print finishing machines, supplementing them with its own complementary services.
Kurz broadly sees the Steinemann acquisition as the next step to its own pioneering work in digital foiling. The Steinemann digital foil enhancement device renders high product quality with flat or raised foil and embossing effects at speeds up to 40 meters a minute.
In India, Steinemann has sold a number of laminators that are mainly used by carton printers for laminating metallized polyester on paperboard before printing. Kurz is present in India as a major supplier of metallic inks and foils for decoration of print.
Digital enhancement and decoration technologies include the market leader Scodix and MGI as well as Landa’s Metallography that was shown at drupa 2016 and subsequently acquired by Altana’s Actega coatings division. Short run digital printing is amenable to great value addition as it is often used for novelty and luxury print. Products such as wedding photobooks can easily absorb the cost of high quality decoration and enhancement using metallic and embossed effects. Product premiumization using labels with decorative effects are also in high demand.
