A low-energy ink pump system is at the core of a partnership between technotrans and flexo press maker Windmöller & Hölscher.

The two companies have signed an “exclusive framework agreement” for the supply of the jointly-developed Turboclean Advanced E ink supply system, which was developed to meet the increasing demands for efficiency and sustainability in high-performance flexoprinting.

It will be used exclusively in W&H flexographic printing presses. The agreement secures technotrans an order volume in the low double-digit million Euro range.

technotrans SE chief executive Michael Finger says the cooperation secures significant revenue potential and consolidates a strong position in the print focus market.

“The solution we have developed together with W&H provides clear competitive advantages in terms of efficiency, sustainability and operating costs.”

Development of the complete ink supply system for flexo presses – used, among other things, to print films for packaging – was the result of a close multi-year cooperation, with technotrans temporarily deploying a resident engineer at W&H.

The company’s press development head, Björn Feldhaus, says that “with technotrans, we have found a development partner who implemented our concept excellently with technological expertise”.

Core of the system is the use of electrically-operated piston pumps instead of the commonly used pneumatically-driven diaphragm pumps. Resulting advantages include enabling energy savings of up to 80 per cent, and minimised ink loss during colour changes. The piston pumps feature statically loaded seals, making them particularly durable against the abrasive components in printing inks.