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Tetra Pak has partnered with Koenig & Bauer to offer full-colour digital printing on its carton packages, opening up new opportunities in product customisation. It is expected the new digital printing technology will simplify the complexity of design handling, reducing the time from design to print and increasing the scope for flexibility in order placement. Tetra Pak said beverage brands can take advantage of added benefits such as dynamic on-package printing and the ability to include a variety of designs within the same order. Charles Brand, executive vice president of product management and commercial operations at Tetra Pak, said: “We are committed to helping our customers explore new avenues with a truly ‘smart’ package, supporting their need for product customisation, smaller batch sizes, greater traceability and the ability to interact with the consumer. “Our investment in this digital printer demonstrates our commitment to support customers with future-proof technologies as the digital revolution transforms the way we all do business.” In an interview with FoodBev last year, Brand highlighted the growth of value-added products as a key product innovation area for dairy companies, while stressing the importance of new technologies in both research and production capacities. The full-width digital printer is currently being built by Koenig & Bauer and will be installed at Tetra Pak’s converting plant at Denton, Texas. Field testing of the digitally printed carton packages is expected to begin in early 2020 with North American customers. Carmen Becker, CEO of Tetra Pak US and Canada, said: “Brands continue to look for opportunities to deliver greater customisation and personalisation of their products. We’re thrilled to offer our customers new and innovative ways to engage with consumers, all while increasing flexibility in the design and order process.” Koenig & Bauer board member Christoph Müller added: “We are absolutely delighted that Tetra Pak has decided in favour of our digital printer. Collaboration between our companies is on an extremely constructive and trusting basis. I am sure that, together, we will significantly change the market for the benefit of Tetra Pak customers.”