Markem-Imaje expands wax based ink production

Markem-Imaje, global provider of end to end supply chain solutions and industrial marking and coding systems, has announced a major investment in its Keene, New Hampshire, USA, facility to expand production capacity for its wax based Touch Dry inks.

The expansion adds a new ink production line at the company’s EcoVadis Platinum sustainability rated site in Keene, underscoring Markem-Imaje’s long term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and regional economic development. This strategic investment boosts the company’s ability to meet growing global demand for high performance, environmentally responsible coding solutions.

‘We have seen consistent global growth in demand for our Touch Dry ink technology, driven by our customers’ increasing emphasis on operational efficiency,’ said Dane Hileman, product division director. ‘With this expansion in Keene, we are strengthening our global production capabilities while continuing to invest in the local community.’

Touch Dry inks are an advanced wax based formulation that solidifies on contact for durable, high resolution codes. Used with the Markem-Imaje Large Character High Resolution Piezo inkjet coders 5940 G and 5800, these inks enable the label free, precision printing of 1D and 2D barcodes (including GS1 Digital Link standard 2D codes), logos, text, and graphics directly onto corrugated boxes, trays, shrink wrap, polystyrene, and other porous, semi-porous, and non porous packaging materials. The technology is ideal for a wide range of industries, including fresh produce, beverages, meats, confections, frozen foods, and industrial goods.

Free from odours and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Touch Dry inks, available in a variety of colours, are safer to handle and more sustainable than conventional liquid ink alternatives. In addition, the inks will not spread along corrugated fibres or lose resolution. 

In addition to its long established operations in Keene, the company will open a new research and development office in Salem, New Hampshire, further reinforcing the state’s importance as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation within the company’s global footprint.