DataLase and PARC partner to develop inkless photonic printing solutions

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: DataLase and PARC partner to develop inkless photonic printing solutions.

DataLase, the solutions provider for inline digital printing of products and packaging, and PARC, a Xerox company, have entered into a new strategic partnership and signed a lease agreement.

The companies will work together to develop photonic printing solutions based on the DataLase award-winning laser-reactive colour-change pigment technologies. A celebratory ceremony took place at PARC last week (see photo).

The deal will accelerate the development of new laser-based hardware solutions that are optimised for use with DataLase colour-change pigment technology to digitally print variable data on a variety of products and packaging.

DataLase, a SATO company, will collaborate with PARC to specifically advance its inkless multi-colour Infinity technology platform, and has signed a lease agreement to establish a pioneering development office and innovation suite to operate from inside the PARC facility in Silicon Valley, California.

Andy Wragg, CEO at DataLase, said: "Working at PARC will give DataLase and our parent company, SATO, access to cutting-edge technology facilities to develop new and unique photonic printing solutions, based on our latest colour change pigment technologies. We will also have access to other pioneering and innovative companies and technological advances that will extend our capability to deliver unique solutions that connect brand owners with consumers around the world."

By leveraging world-class research and expertise across multiple technologies, PARC provides breakthrough capabilities that very few organisations can deliver. Working with strategic partners to help develop innovation solutions, PARC helps take the risk out of deploying technologies and strategies that could revolutionise entire industries.

The new multi-colour Infinity platform will revolutionise the way that brand owners can connect with consumers through products and packaging. Digital printing of variable data and the personalisation of products is a rapidly growing trend as consumers demand more individual relevance from brand driven marketing campaigns. Integrating printing at the point in the supply chain where it creates most value for the brand is a key challenge faced by the industry, but inkless solutions based on DataLase technology can meet these increasing demands. Applications for the variable printing of text, graphics, and barcodes on labels, flexible film, and folding cartons can all benefit from this unique solution.

"PARC's open innovation business model is a perfect fit for the DataLase team," said Antonio Williams, Manager, Printing Innovation Portfolio at PARC. "We're excited to have their team here at PARC collaborating with our researchers to develop the inkless multi-colour photonic print technology. DataLase is bringing a unique solution to market and we are looking forward to working together."

SATO President and CEO, Kaz Matsuyama, commented: "PARC is an international leader in technology innovation and we are excited to work together in areas that have the potential to transform our industry and drive game-changing B2B2C innovation. We will leverage the partnership to realize our vision of enabling emotional connections between brands and consumers through truly individualised packaging."