Koenig & Bauer and Koenig & Bauer Durst brought more than 80 industry leaders to an executive summit focused on the VariJET 106 hybrid printing system, with live production demonstrations and customer case studies centred on folding carton applications.
Held at the company’s Customer Experience Centre for the Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems segment, the event demonstrated workflow integration from prepress to post-press, with converters testing digital, offset and post-press technologies together. The summit also marked the adoption of the VariJET 106 by Amcor.
Live production runs moved from standard folding cartons to more complex, highly coloured applications, including customised jobs incorporating security features and connected packaging using QR codes. Demonstrations included primer switching, ink consumption reporting, and integration into post-press via the CutPRO X 106 rotary die-cutter, CutPRO Q 106 flatbed die-cutter and Omega Allpro 110 folder gluer, alongside software and predictive maintenance tools such as AURAVEO.
The VariJET 106, developed by Durst and Koenig & Bauer and built on the Rapida 106 platform, combines water-based inkjet (CMYK + OGV), double-coating capability and workflow integration through the Durst Ecosystem. It was positioned at the event as a system for mid-run folding carton production.
Customer presentations formed a central part of the programme. Amcor Specialty Cartons, represented by general manager Dario Morini, outlined how its Poland site has built a digitally enabled business model around the VariJET 106 using a hybrid configuration with flexo stations before and after the digital unit to manage shorter lead times and increasing product variation.
Pierre Hertzel, head of sales Germany at SCHELLING AG, described how the company’s seven-colour, double-coater configuration is supporting folding carton applications requiring consistent output and extended Pantone coverage.
Markus Weiss, ceo of Koenig & Bauer Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems, said, “Our approach remains holistic: connecting prepress, press, and postpress systems through intelligent automation, AI and workflow solutions to deliver efficiency and profitability across the entire production chain. The future of print isn’t about choosing sides – offset or digital. It’s about mastering both to meet today’s evolving market demands.”
Daniel Velema, managing director at Koenig & Bauer Durst, said, “Successful digital adopters invest not only in the press, but in software integration, automated workflows, and lean change management… In the end, seeing is believing!”
Keynote speaker François Martin said, “Scale handles the volume; agility handles the value. Digital adoption enables converters to stop turning away complex, fast-turn jobs and reinforces analogue production rather than replacing it.”