HP inks $200m investment to tackle water pollution
HP inks $200m investment to tackle water pollution. HP is developing water-based inks for textile manufacture
HP’s innovations in water-based inks have already had an impact on food packaging markets, tech giant says
HP has committed $200m to developing water-based ink technologies for printing digitally on corrugated packaging and textiles, in a move designed to help tackle water impacts across the consumer goods and fashion industry supply chain, the firm announced on Tuesday.
The technology giant said new ink and printing systems could help its customers evade the water emissions issues that can arise from traditional textile coloration.
The World Resources Institute estimates around 20 per cent of industrial water pollution results from garment manufacturing. By developing water-based inks that can be digitally printed onto textiles, HP aims to eliminate a major contributor to this global environmental challenge.
“Investing in water-based solutions that meet market needs and the increasing sustainability requirements of graphics customers is expected to propel business growth for HP,” explained Santi Morera, general manager and global head of graphics solutions, HP Inc.
“We will be dedicating resources toward continued innovation and industry disruption to accelerate safer, simpler and more sustainable water-based printing technologies that meet the quality, performance and economics needed by these markets.”
The investment aims to build on HP’s existing innovations in developing water-based inks for other markets, such as the sign and display market, where HP Latex Inks offer an alternative to existing inks.
“HP’s continuing investment in advancing water-based ink technology gives DS Smith confidence that we will meet the health and safety demands of our customers, along with our own high standards for the work environment of our employees,” said Ruediger Lindner, general manager at the FTSE100 packaging giant DS Smith.
The same innovations have brought benefits to sensitive applications such as food packaging and personal care products, as Robert Seay, general manager at Georgia-Pacific Hummingbird, explained.
“Water-based inkjet inks are a technology differentiator in corrugated packaging, enabling us to confidently address a broader range of applications from food and beverage to personal care products,” he said.
