Koenig & Bauer, a top printing tech firm, is rolling out new sustainable innovations in 2025 to cut energy use and waste in print production. These updates, showcased at events like China Print 2025, focus on eco-friendly presses and digital tools that help printers meet green goals while boosting efficiency.
Driving Innovation in Sustainable Printing
Koenig & Bauer has built its strategy around five main pillars: employee responsibility, customer responsibility, industrial environmental protection, social responsibility, and integrity and compliance. This approach aims to create a positive impact across the entire printing supply chain.
The company sees itself as a key partner in reducing the industry’s ecological footprint. By offering tools that lower carbon emissions, they help printers save on resources like inks and substrates.
In 2025, Koenig & Bauer launched the AI Empower 25 program. This initiative integrates artificial intelligence into presses to optimize operations and cut energy needs.
Recent partnerships, such as with Siemens, enhance automation in printing presses. These collaborations make production faster and more energy-efficient.
Key Tech Advances for Energy Savings
One standout innovation is the Rapida 106X press, which drives efficiency in sheetfed offset printing. It features systems that reduce energy consumption during drying and inspection processes.
For example, the VariDryBlue drying system can slash dryer energy use by up to 35 percent. This helps printers lower their overall power bills without losing speed or quality.
Koenig & Bauer also offers the HighEcon dryer for metal decorating, cutting gas costs by up to 70 percent. Such tools make sustainable printing practical for various applications.
In digital packaging, the VariJET 106 from Koenig & Bauer Durst stands out. It combines offset and digital methods for high-quality, low-waste output.
The company emphasizes modular solutions that adapt to customer needs. This flexibility allows printers to build custom setups that prioritize green practices.
ESG Goals and Global Commitments
Koenig & Bauer aligns with global standards through its ESG strategy. They participate in the UN Global Compact and focus on seven Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action and sustainable production.
Their goals include better health and wellbeing, quality education, and gender equality within the company. These efforts extend to community partnerships and ethical practices.
As a member of initiatives like the VDMA Blue Competence and the 4evergreen Alliance, Koenig & Bauer pushes for industry-wide changes. They work on projects like Holy Grail 2.0 for better recycling in packaging.
In 2025, the firm reported strong order intake from eco-focused products. This growth shows rising demand for green tech in printing.
Koenig & Bauer tracks progress with transparent data on energy and emissions. This helps customers monitor their own sustainability efforts.
Real-World Impact and Case Studies
Printers using Koenig & Bauer tech have seen big wins. For instance, a European firm installed the VariJET 106 and cut waste by 30 percent through inline monitoring.
At the Digital Packaging Summit in late 2024, Koenig & Bauer won an award for their folding carton case study. It highlighted how digital automation reduces material use.
Here are some key benefits reported by users:
- Lower energy costs: Up to 35 percent savings on drying systems.
- Reduced waste: Inline systems cut substrate use by 30 percent.
- Faster production: AI tools optimize workflows for quicker turnaround.
- Eco-friendly inks: Special applications reduce consumption by 25 percent.
These examples show how the tech solves real problems in daily operations.
Future Outlook for Green Printing
Looking ahead, Koenig & Bauer plans more digitalization in 2025. They focus on cybersecurity and data-driven solutions to support sustainability.
Industry trends point to growing demand for eco-friendly packaging. With events like Drupa on the horizon, the company aims to showcase even more innovations.
Experts predict the printing machinery market will hit new highs by 2031, driven by sustainable tech. Koenig & Bauer positions itself as a leader in this shift.
| Innovation | Key Feature | Energy Savings |
|---|---|---|
| VariDryBlue | Advanced drying for offset presses | Up to 35% |
| HighEcon Dryer | For metal decorating | Up to 70% on gas |
| QualiTronic | Inline inspection | 30% less substrates |
| AI Empower 25 | AI integration | Optimized overall efficiency |
This table outlines some top tools and their impacts.
As printing evolves, Koenig & Bauer invites customers to explore tailored solutions. Share your thoughts on these green innovations in the comments below, and spread the word to fellow printers.
