Konica Minolta partners with Fribourg’s iPrint to expand inkjet applications

Konica Minolta has begun collaborating with iPrint, the inkjet research institute based at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA-FR), to expand the industrial applications of inkjet technology. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of new use cases for inkjet printheads and strengthen Konica Minolta’s presence in the European market.

Inkjet technology enables precise deposition of materials at defined positions and is increasingly used beyond traditional printing, including in display manufacturing and printed circuit board production. Its flexibility supports high-mix, low-volume manufacturing while contributing to reduced labor requirements and lower environmental impact.

Konica Minolta supplies inkjet printheads for signage graphics and industrial applications and sees further potential in sectors where inkjet has not yet been widely adopted. Through its collaboration with iPrint, the company has established a dedicated laboratory within the Fribourg-based research center. The new facility allows testing and evaluation activities to be conducted directly in Europe, one of the key markets for industrial inkjet systems.

By leveraging iPrint’s specialized equipment and expertise, including capabilities for inkjet deposition on three-dimensional objects, the partnership enables tests that were previously difficult to perform. The data generated will support product development and help identify new collaboration partners.

The initiative reinforces Fribourg’s role as a hub for digital manufacturing and inkjet innovation, where research institutions and industrial players collaborate to advance next-generation technologies.