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Kyocera Collaborates with iPrint to Expand Inkjet Technology into New Markets and Applications

New partnership aims to accelerate R&D in special inks and materials, paving the way for new markets and applications.

 
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KYOCERA Corporation (President: Hideo Tanimoto; "Kyocera") announced that its core European subsidiary, KYOCERA Europe GmbH (President: Kunihiko Ueki; "KEG"), will begin collaborating with the iPrint Institute and Competence Center, a Swiss public research institute specializing in inkjet technology (Co-directors: Gioele Balestra, Yoshinori Domae, and Gilbert Gugler; "iPrint"), starting in October 2025. Leveraging Kyocera's proprietary inkjet technology, the partnership aims to develop new applications, such as 3D printing, coating, and printed electronics.

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Digital printing, including inkjet printing, offers the advantage of producing the required quantity immediately based on image data, while reducing environmental impact by eliminating the liquid waste generated during the plate-cleaning processes. In recent years, the shift from conventional analog printing to digital printing has been accelerating, driven by diversified needs, greater demand for small-lot, multi-variety production, and advances in labor savings and automation at production sites.

Kyocera, leveraging its proprietary fine ceramic technology, fluid channel design, and manufacturing expertise cultivated over the years, has developed the "EX Series" inkjet printheads. Centered around these printheads, Kyocera boasts the top market share*1 in textile and commercial printing, and continues to lead the digital printing market. Moving forward, Kyocera will enhance its technical bases in Japan and abroad to expand into new applications, such as 3D printing, coating, and printed electronics.

*1: Based on Kyocera research, August 2025.


iPrint, a public research institute specializing in inkjet technology and affiliated with the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA Fribourg) at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), attracts engineers and companies from around the world. The institute drives research and development activities to meet diverse needs and offers cutting-edge R&D programs and training courses on inkjet technology. It is equipped with facilities that enable the handling of a wide range of inks.

Under this collaboration, Kyocera will establish a dedicated space within iPrint and utilize the latest equipment and technologies to evaluate special inks and materials that have traditionally been difficult to handle. Kyocera will accumulate and analyze the data obtained from these evaluations to enhance and streamline its technical support capabilities, as well as actively pursue initiatives to expand into new applications.

Through this collaboration, Kyocera will drive further the advancement of inkjet technology and expand its expertise. It will also open up new possibilities in industrial applications and contribute to achieving global environmental sustainability.


250822_MIC_Global-Aerial-View.jpgiPrint's Marly Innovation Center

About iPrint
iPrint (Your partner for research, innovation and education in digital printing - HEIA-FR) is a public research institute based in Switzerland and affiliated with the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA Fribourg), which is part of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO). The institute conducts applied research in diverse applications such as graphic printing, electronics, and biomedical applications, and pursues R&D in state-of-the-art inkjet technology. With its interdisciplinary structure, iPrint connects people and knowledge, fostering innovation that supports the development of valuable products for the well-being of society and ecosystems in a sustainable manner.

This news release is intended for media purposes, and is current of the date of publication. Information is subject to change without notice.