Packaging business Bevcraft has invested in the UK’s first Tonejet Cyclone direct-to-can digital printer.

The system can print individual can designs from 1 to 50,000 units, giving breweries the ability to develop a market presence without the minimum order constraints of traditionally printed cans.

Darren Fenton, COO at Bevcraft said: “Given the current climate, it might be considered a brave time to invest in new technology, but our objective is to support our partners as they work to return to normal trading conditions during the pandemic.

“In achieving that, the Cyclone will provide them with the flexibility of production to cost effectively get back-up and running, with smaller batches.”

“As such, we believe that this is the right investment at the right time. Indeed, everything about Tonejet’s approach, from the ink specification through to the logical integration of quality controls, has demonstrated to us that this was the solution we wanted for digital can printing,” added Ciarán Gorman, CFO at Bevcraft.

Fenton said: “The Cyclone end-to-end system is a total game changer in terms of can decoration for the craft market.

“It will provide us with a cost effective, environmentally sustainable alternative for decorating small can batches from 1 to 50,000 units – still small quantities for the can industry.”

The Tonejet Cyclone (above) can printing system comprises all the equipment required to decorate necked beverage cans, including a depalletizer, a can inspection system, can cleaning and printing units, an over-varnish bake oven, a repalletizer and all associated can transports and conveyers.

Blank cans can be decorated in any combination effortlessly before they are palletized for filling or shipping.

According to Rob Day, Tonejet’s CEO, the UK’s first Cyclone installation at Bevcraft is another milestone for Tonejet.

“BevCraft’s Cyclone installation will open up a whole new packaging supply option for European craft brewers.

“Crucially, it allows craft beverage producers, many of whom strive to be carbon-neutral, to cost-effectively can small batches without the use of plastic labels or sleeves which can be problematic to recycle.”

Headquartered in Mullingar, Ireland, Bevcraft has additional facilities in Merseyside (UK), Peterborough (UK) and Breda (Netherlands).

The Tonejet Cyclone is expected to be installed at its Peterborough facility.