Mutoh Europe has announced the official release of the HydrAton 1642, a 1625 mm (64") roll-to-roll printer featuring innovative water-based UV technology. Previewed at Drupa 2024, this environmentally-friendly printer is available nowthrough Mutoh’s distributors in Europe, Middle East and Africa - Australian/New Zealand availability will be announced soon.
The Mutoh HydrAton 1642 was previewed at drupa 2024, last May
Mutoh's HydrAton 1642 is powered by Aquafuze, an advanced UV-curable waterbased ink technology developed by Fujifilm. This hybrid ink system combines the benefits of waterbased and UV-curable inks, utilizing Fujifilm’s proprietary dispersion technology to achieve low-VOC, low-odour, and non-hazardous printing. It is claimed to be superior to 'latex and resin-type' print technologies.
Unlike traditional inks, Aquafuze adheres to a wide range of substrates, including non-porous materials, without the need for primers or adhesion promoters. The thin yet durable printed ink film offers excellent scratch resistance without requiring an overcoat, making it ideal for wallpapers, retail décor, indoor signage, and public space applications. 
How Aquafuze works on Mutoh HydrAton 1642
In the development of this ink, specific attention has been given to the ingredient selection ensuring compliance with the highest safety and environmental standards. With a low volatile organic compound (VOC) content of less than 15%, the formulation is designed to minimize emissions. Additionally, the ink is free from Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), aligning with regulatory standards aimed at safeguarding both operators and the environment. Its classification as GHS hazard-free means that it does not require any hazard markings, reflecting a commitment to safety without compromising on performance.
Aquafuze is Greenguard Gold certified, and Mutoh is working towards additional certifications for interior and building materials in Europe, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable printing.
Environmentally sustainable printing
The HydrAton 1642 operates at significantly lower temperatures (30 - 50°C) compared to conventional industrial latex and water-based resin ink printers. This ensures compatibility with heat sensitive substrates and moreover also reduces energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, making it one of the most eco-responsible solutions in its category.
Thanks to the optimized ink film formation system, which combines a three-way heater, a blower fan, and a UV lamp, prints achieve enhanced durability and superior image quality.
Equipped with two AccuFine HD print heads, the HydrAton 1642 delivers high speed and high-quality prints with improved ink placement accuracy, reduced banding and ensuring sharp details like fine lines and small text. AccuFine print heads differ in the fact that they have an increased nozzle row length and high-density nozzle pitch.
Designed with efficiency and ease of use in mind, the HydrAton 1642 is powered by Mutoh’s VerteLith RIP software and includes several smart automation features to streamline daily workflows:
- DropMaster 2: automatically adjusts bi-directional alignment for perfect registration.
- FeedMaster: automates media feed correction using built-in sensors.
- Media Tracker: prints and scans barcodes to track remaining media length, reducing material waste.
Australia-New Zealand availability will be announced shortly, hopefully in time for PacPrint where Mutoh is exhibiting.
