Agfa Graphics to Supply Inkjet Inks for Digitally Printed Passports in Belgium

Digital inkjet printing is continuously growing in a broad range of applications with new printing systems from various OEMs and system integrators. Agfa Graphics is driving this transition with its high-performance UV-curable inks.

In the first quarter of 2014, Zetes Industries, a pan-European company offering solutions and services for automatic identification of goods and people, will install two Bookmaster One Systems at its Brussels personalization plant to print the variable data of the Belgian passports. Both systems will use Agfa Graphics’ Altamira Pack SUV inks, offering high image quality output and industrial printing reliability.

Built on its tradition in supplying tailor made consumables, its know-how in color and in industrial processes, Agfa Graphics is developing a wide range of UV-curable inks for a variety of applications. The Altamira Pack SUV ink set is specifically designed for printing on paper-based substrates (and cartons) with the highest image quality and crisp text reproduction.

The Bookmaster One is a development by the Dutch company IAI industrial systems BV, a provider of industrial production solutions and a subsidiary of the stock listed company DOCDATA N.V. The Bookmaster One performs the entire personalisation process in one pass, effectively turning blank books into fully personalized value documents using inkjet. IAI industrial systems certified Agfa Graphics’ Altamira Pack SUV ink for use in the Bookmaster One.

“Agfa Graphics focuses on being a preferred ink partner for system integrators which develop digital printing solutions for many types of applications, such as packaging, label printing, product decoration and security printing,” said Marc Graindourze, business development manager Industrial Inks, Agfa Graphics. “Printing passports is such application: unique in its kind but a perfect fit for our inks.”

Agfa Graphics is rapidly expanding its position in industrial inkjet applications as a supplier of an extensive range of high-performance industrial inks produced in its manufacturing facilities in Mortsel, Belgium.