The FXIJ-1 AQUA water-based flexible packaging inkjet printer
Japanese chemical firm Kao has bought two inkjet companies to drive growth.
The move was referred to in an analyst presentation as preparation of businesses that will drive future growth.
Chimigraf is a Spanish firm that produces flexo and inkjet inks; it is based in Barcelona and employs 180 staff. Collins is a US firm that specialises in inkjet ink; it is based in Ohio and employs 90 staff.
The two firms will be integrated into its specialty chemicals division as part of a move to commercialise its water-based inkjet technology. The firm claims to have a unique nano-dispersion pigment technology, which uses functional polymers to encapsulate nano-sized pigments. This enables a water-based ink to be used to print onto filmic materials. It has developed a printer for this application in cooperation with fellow Japanese firm Think Laboratories.
The name Kao may not be well known in the print industry but its specialty chemicals are widely used in inks, toners and paper processing. The firm claims to be one of the market leaders in the supply of polyester based toners and toner binder resins, which it manufacturers in Spain and the USA and sells to equipment vendors under the Tuftone brand. It also makes chemicals for the paper industry including bulking agents and dispersants for paper manufacture and de-inking agents used in the recycling process.
In 2015 the firm recorded sales of $12bn, of which 2.4bn came from the chemical division. Its other divisions produce cosmetics, haircare and detergents and it owns brands including Molton Brown and John Frieda.
