MUTOH INDUSTRIES LTD. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, President: Yasuhiko Isobe; hereafter referred to as "MUTOH"), a subsidiary of MUTOH HOLDINGS CO., LTD. that develops, manufactures, and sells large-format inkjet and 3D printers, will hold its exhibit at drupa 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany, from Tuesday May 28th to Friday June 7th (Hall 9, B-10). drupa is the world’s largest printing equipment exhibition, taking place every four years. Last drupa showing was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making this the first time in eight years that it will be held as an in-person event.

MUTOH will showcase a number of distinctive product lines under the theme "Human- and environmentally-friendly inkjet technology" at drupa 2024. Specifically, the company will exhibit the industry's brand new HydrAton 1642 inkjet printer equipped with the newly developed ink based on Fujifilm's AQUAFUZE™* technology.

Inks using AQUAFUZE™* technology are expected to become the fourth technology that can address several issues that existing ink technologies face. Its highly safe composition, with water as the main ingredient, and its low odour, as well as its capability of printing on different substrates, including using non-penetrating media without the need for primers or optimizers are AQUAFUZE’s™* main characteristics. Moreover, the printed film is thin and offers high abrasion resistance without the use of an overcoat, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including wallpaper and indoor signs.

HydrAton 1642 is a printer in a new technology segment that features unique printing control and a unique ink film formation process that were newly developed to maximize the performance of the ink through collaboration between Fujifilm's AQUAFUZE™* technology development and MUTOH's printer development teams.

In addition, we will exhibit printers that use highly safe inks that factor in the effects on the human body and environment, such as sign and display inks that do not use GBL, which subject to regulations (MS51 ink), and UV inks that do not use substances classified as SVHC, including TPO (US61 ink). 

We will also exhibit printers that use Only One MP ink that can be proofread on original substrates, reducing VOCs and printing materials by using inkjet proofing instead of press proofing. 

Through these products, MUTOH strives to contribute to the development of a sustainable future by providing safer and more secure work and consumer environments, as well as practicing sustainable manufacturing through green procurement and operating at our factories using renewable energy.

*AQUAFUZE™ (registered trademark of FUJIFILM Group) technology is a technology of combining the formulation of both water-based and UV-curable inks.

*GBL (γ-butyrolactone): A type of organic solvent that is beginning to be classified as a regulated substance in certain countries.

*TPO: A type of polymerization initiator contained in UV ink that was included in the SVHC list in 2023.

*SVHC: Refers to substances of very high concern under the EU-REACH regulations, and substances that are deemed to have a high impact on human health and the environment, which are included in the Candidate List of substances of very high concern for Authorisation; their use might be restricted. 

◆Exhibition Overview

Organizer: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

Dates: May 28th (Tue) - June 7th (Fri), 2024

Location: Düsseldorf Fairgrounds, Hall 9, B-10

URL: https://www.drupa.com/

◆Main exhibits

[HydrAton 1642 + AQUAFUZE™] (Reference exhibit)

Introducing a new human- and environmentally-friendly printer that realises the newly developed "AQUAFUZE™"* ink and MUTOH's HydrAton film forming system, which optimises a series of processes from image quality formation to film forming.

[XpertJet 1682UR] (Reference exhibit)

Introducing a printer that improves productivity and reduces the burden on operators.

Printing up to five layers in one pass, this printer greatly expands the range of applications. Additionally, it uses highly safe SVHC-free UV ink "US61". 

[XpertJet SR Pro Series]

<54-inch (137 cm wide) / 64-inch (162 cm wide) eco-solvent ink printers>

Introducing printers with a wide colour gamut, reduced graininess of print, vivid colour development, and rich expression. XpertJet SR Pro series printers have won numerous awards worldwide. By using "MS51" (GBL-free and SVHC-free solvent inks), they have been certified with the US environmental standard GREENGUARD Gold. Equipped with AccuFine print heads, they achieve high-quality and stable printing. 

[ValueJet 628MP / ValueJet 1628MH]

<24-inch (63 cm wide) Roll to Roll / 64-inch (162 cm wide) Hybrid MP ink printers>

These printers are equipped with multi-purpose ink "MP31" that is ideal for DTS (Direct to Substrate) applications, meaning users can print directly on the substrate of their choosing. A natural finish that makes the most of the texture of the material, and a variety of expressions are possible. Achieve wide colour gamut and high-precision colour reproduction with a special ink set (orange, blue, green). With excellent elasticity, these printers are ideal for film proofing and paper packaging.