Collaborative Milestones in Inkjet Innovation - ITACA

With a dedicated team of over 50 R&D employees, each with more than 20 years of expertise, ITACA, part of Altadia Group, has all the tools they need to transform industries through digitisation. ITACA's arsenal of oil-based, water-based, and UV-LED inks are tailor-made for a multitude of applications, including corrugated materials, fibre cement, concrete, plastic, metal and direct-to-garment products, making them a very versatile partner indeed.

Altadia is a prominent leader in the ceramics industry, developed through the union between Esmalglass-Itaca and Ferro Tile Coatings. Based in Castellón, Spain, the brand employs 3,300 people worldwide and operates 19 production sites. Specialising in the manufacture of inkjet inks, glazes and hight quality solutions for decorating and shaping different materials & surfaces, Altadia plays a crucial role in the ceramics sector.

Corrugated Business Unit

One of ITACA’s main focuses is their Corrugated Business Unit. Working very closely with KENTO, a company known for its innovative hybrid technology that combines inkjet printing with traditional flexography, and using UV-LED inks, ITACA has successfully operationalised two inkjet printing lines.

ITACA’s partnership with MACARBOX, a company specialising in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of high-performance machinery in the converting world focusing on water-based (WB) inks, has led to the launch of an innovative press, further cementing ITACA's position in the market.  

The key drivers for advancements in both inkjet and traditional printing technologies are reliability, high colour performance, and sustainability, particularly in the context of Ingede-certified deinking processes. Sustainability has become a cornerstone, with a significant focus on environmentally friendly practices such as Ingede-certified deinking. This process facilitates the recycling of printed paper by efficiently removing ink and reducing waste.  

Building Materials Business Unit

The Building Materials Business Unit within the organisation provides tailor-made solutions, having developed over 20 unique decorative products specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of customers. With new materials such as steel coils, aluminium profiles, and PVC sheets in the pipeline, the unit is actively participating in the broader industry's shift from analogue to digital processes. This shift is opening up new opportunities for efficiency, precision, and environmental sustainability in sectors traditionally dominated by conventional printing methods.

The Building Materials Business Unit recently, for the first time, announced the introduction of the ENDURANCE ink set. These UV-LED inorganic pigment inks are engineered for outdoor applications, offering enhanced durability on polymeric and metallic surfaces. This ink set expands ITACA’s product range whilst also meeting the growing demand for high-quality, resilient building materials. This ink set has exceptional properties, including sunlight resistance, great adhesion strength, excellent flexibility, and eco-friendliness, making it an ideal choice for outdoor applications with several of ITACA’s customers already expressing their satisfaction with the product's performance.

Textile Business Unit

Sustainability has become a huge driver in the textile industry, driving manufacturers towards more sustainable production methods. Companies can use digital printing as a more sustainable production process, which can achieve up to an 85% reduction in energy usage and an 80% cut in water consumption.

ITACA is very committed to align technological advancements with environmental protection and have introduced PENELOPE, a range of digital pigmented inks designed specifically for the textile sector. These inks eliminate the traditional need for fabric pretreatment, making them a game-changer for roll-to-roll fabric printing as this presents a significant step towards a more sustainable future in textile manufacturing.

Road to DRUPA

For ITACA, participating in DRUPA 2024 represents a significant opportunity to introduce their innovative ink technologies to a global audience. With a strong partnership with People&Technology, ITACA is planning to present live demos of their new ink sets at DRUPA 2024.

The latest trends and technologies in the print industry, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and digitalisation, will be coming together at DRUPA 2024. For ITACA, this is a platform to show its contributions to these trends through its advanced ink technologies and partnerships. 

VISIT ITACA IN HALL 5 STAND C-30.