Royal Ten Cate Puts First Digital Inkjet Machine Into Operation

ALMELO, the Netherlands — July 2, 2013 — On Monday 1 July textile technology company Royal Ten Cate
introduced the first production machine for digital finishing on the basis of inkjet technology.
Theo Rietkerk, member of the Provincial Executive of Overijssel for Economy, Energy and Innovation,
activated the machine at the company site of TenCate Protective & Outdoor Fabrics in Nijverdal,
the Netherlands. Operation of this new machine marks the official transition from analogue to
digital finishing of technical textiles.

With digital finishing of textile surfaces other or new characteristics can be introduced in
existing products, leading to product modifications that meet the increasing dynamics of wishes of
customers. Digital inkjet technology gives TenCate the ability to offer on-demand delivery and mass
customization on the basis of a flexible, sustainable and cost-efficient production process.
Industrial application of inkjet technology within the technical textile industry means
considerable savings in water, energy and chemicals, such as dyes and pigments.

As Ir Loek de Vries, President and CEO of TenCate, explains: ‘Digital inkjet technology is a
case of technological innovation, one of the cornerstones of the TenCate business model. This
groundbreaking innovation is the driving force behind new activities of TenCate. It generates new
opportunities to continue to meet the changing needs and expectations of the end-user.’

This digital inkjet machine is the result of an intensive cooperation between Reggiani
Macchine, Xennia Technology and TenCate within the framework of European innovation programs. The
research and development of the digital inkjet machine and the related research over the past years
were facilitated by the support of the European Union, the European Technology Platform for the
Future of Textiles and Clothing, the province of Overijssel, the University of Twente and the
region of Twente.

Posted on July 2, 2013

Source: Royal Ten Cate

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