Azuliber: first to use EFI Cretaprint Hybrid Technology

Electronics For Imaging’s Cretaprint Hybrid, the Alfa de Oro-awarded technology for inkjet ceramic decoration with both solvent and aqueous inks, has been validated for its productivity and quality by one of the world’s leading ceramics companies, Azuliber.

The L’Alcora, Spain-based tile manufacturer installed the first EFI Cretaprint printer operating with water-based inks as a beta unit more than a year ago. Today, that printer is successfully operating in Azuliber’s regular manufacturing line.

Fernando Javier Tomas Badenes, EFI deputy general manager for building materials, said of the landmark installation, “It is key for EFI to propose technologies that work with total reliability in the highly demanding ceramic manufacturing environment. In fact, the Cretaprint Hybrid approach aims to help our customers adopt the future technology in tile inkjet printing.”
This year, the company won its third Alfa de Oro award for the development of a ceramic-polymer composite with advanced noise absorption properties – an innovative new solution Azuliber co-developed with Neos Additives and BestTile. “We firmly believe in the technical and decorative possibilities of tile ceramics,” said Azuliber Sales Manager Fernando Palomo Palomo, “and we are proud to be part of a Spanish ceramic cluster that is a leader in creating high value added products that are also very competitive. We have manufactured our existing products with new water-based inks without any issue, and obtained a perfect finished product.”

The EFI Cretaprint Hybrid solution includes digital glazing and aqueous inkjet printing. One of the drivers behind this new technology is the positive environmental impact on the ceramic tile manufacturing process, both in reducing consumed resources (glazes, water and energy) and in reducing emissions and other waste.

Founded in 1972, Azuliber has an established legacy in tile manufacturing while, at the same time, maintaining a track record in innovation and sustainability