Keeplastics Streamlines Carton Coding with Hitachi UX-D160W
Fast, Flexible, Reliable: How Keeplastics Future-Proofed Its Packaging Line with Hitachi UX Inkjet Printers
- Industry: Food Packaging
- Solution: Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Printing – Hitachi UX-D160W
- Location: Norrköping, Sweden
- Target Markets: 80+ Export Countries
A Global Food Packaging Pioneer with a Challenge
In the heart of Sweden’s industrial hub, Norrköping, one company has revolutionized a niche — yet critical — area of food packaging: disposable piping bags. Keeplastics AB, with its globally patented Kee-Seal ULTRA line, supplies professional-grade bags to bakeries, food producers, and hospitals in over 80 countries.
But international success brings complex demands. Keeplastics doesn’t just produce high-quality packaging — they must also meet highly variable labeling regulations for each export market. And with four different product types running on a single packaging line, downtime for code changes was becoming a bottleneck.
The Real Challenge: Flexibility Without Compromise
To keep up with international labeling requirements, Keeplastics needed to print precise, location-specific codes on every single carton — often switching from one region’s format to another in real time. Their existing printing setup simply couldn’t keep pace.
The company required a future-proof solution that could handle:
- Ultra-fast product changeovers
- Multiple SKUs on one production line
- Zero tolerance for coding errors
- Reliable performance in a high-speed, high-hygiene environment
The Solution: Hitachi UX Series – A Smart Upgrade for Smart Manufacturing
After exploring various options, Keeplastics chose to partner with Svenska Allen, Hitachi’s official distributor in Sweden. Their recommendation? The Hitachi UX-D160W Continuous Inkjet Printer — a powerful and versatile CIJ system designed for modern packaging lines.
Why Hitachi?
- Fast code switching with no production interruption
- RFID-secured ink cartridge system – no spills, no confusion
- User-friendly interface – minimal training needed
- Built for reliability – even in demanding food environments
Key Technical Specs:
- Model: Hitachi UX-D160W
- Application: 4 different products on 1 packaging line
- Coding: Export codes for 80+ countries
- Ink system: RFID-secured cartridges
- Integration: Plug-and-play with existing setup
The Result: High Performance Meets High Standards
With the new UX Series printer, Keeplastics operators can now change label data instantly, without stopping the line. This has dramatically increased both efficiency and accuracy, while virtually eliminating production loss due to coding delays or ink mix-ups.
Thanks to Hitachi’s technology and Svenska Allen’s local expertise, the implementation was smooth — a textbook example of technology enhancing productivity without disrupting it.
Future-Proof Coding for a Growing Global Business
For Keeplastics, choosing the right coding solution wasn’t just about better print quality — it was about securing operational continuity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and staying agile in a competitive global market.
Today, the company has:
- A coding system ready for expansion
- Full support from local experts
- Confidence in meeting future international labeling requirements
Learn More
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