Since joining forces for packaging print inkjet digital development in 2019, Koenig & Bauer has brought its expertise in high precision sheetfed paper handling, while Durst has added its in-depth knowledge of inkjet. The result is the VariJET 106, which can now be seen at a new customer center in Radebeul, Germany.
No plates, inkjet and 5,500 B1 sph, the VariJET 106 is aimed at the folding carton market
Digital, offset and post-print customer demos & benchmarking are availoable on a single site, providing exclusive insights and training provided for customers and prospects. The VariJET 106 combines the best of digital, water-based inkjet and conventional offset printing and finishing
This unique opportunity to see and test digital, offset and post-print production on a single site is now a reality with the opening in Radebeul, Germany, of a dedicated hall for the VariJET 106, the hybrid press for folding cartons jointly developed by Durst and Koenig & Bauer.
Customers and visitors can now bring their own print files and substrates to see for themselves the flexibility, sustainability and cost-competitive opportunities afforded by Koenig & Bauer Durst’s VariJET 106 modular, single-pass press, which had its public debut at drupa in 2024. The 700 square meter hall is part of the global Customer Experience Center at Koenig & Bauer’s Sheetfed division headquarters, near Dresden, which is now part of the Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems (P&P) segment.
Daniel Velema, Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst says: “The new dedicated hall for the VariJET 106 digital, hybrid press for folding carton markets represents another important step in our evolution. The opening means the Customer Experience Center is the one and only place where you can see and test digital, offset and post-print production at a single site. This is where prospects from all over the world can test the VariJET 106 for themselves using their own files and substrates. This ability to advise across print and finishing technologies is driven by our ambition to first and foremost understand & support your business needs & opportunities, and talk about technology second. 
(L) Ralf Sammeck, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed, & Daniel Velema, Managing Director, Koenig & Bauer Durst
“At drupa, we showed what is possible with full digital – digital printing, embellishment and finishing. Now we would like to show guests the next steps in the digital revolution for folding carton markets. We would love to welcome customers to Radebeul. For those who haven’t been there yet, the Koenig & Bauer Customer Experience Center – for press and machine demonstrations, application testing, the development of new technologies and for training purposes – focuses on specialized areas of packaging like folding carton, commercial and label production.”
Velema adds: “Ever since the VariJET 106 Customer Experience Center opened, Koenig & Bauer Durst has been running back-to-back print tests with customers and brands from all key geographies being represented: North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. We are particularly pleased by the interest of Asian customers.
“Successfully tested applications include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and food. We work closely together and explore hands-on what Koenig & Bauer Durst can improve to better meet market demands.”
The VariJET 106, which runs 5,500 B1 sheets per hour, combines the best of both worlds – digital inkjet and classic offset printing. It uses water-based inkjet inks (CMYK plus orange, green & violet), primers & coatings to provide the highest print quality at a most competitive cost level, while supporting current and upcoming food safety and sustainability regulation. It leverages on Koenig & Bauer’s standard high performance Rapida 106 platform and Durst printhead electronics, inkjet expertise and Durst workflow/RIP technology. This includes Durst Analytics, Smartshop and Workflow.
Koenig & Bauer and Durst first announced they had joined forces and set up an independent joint venture company in 2019. The VariJET 106 is the first product jointly designed and developed by the two companies. Already in production and part of the Koenig & Bauer Durst portfolio are the Delta SPC 130 Series and the CorruJET 170 Series – aimed at corrugated packaging.
Email enquiries in ANZ: graham.harris@koenig-bauer.com.au
