Kodak Antimicrobial Clear Dry Ink is an antibacterial and antifungal powder, designed to be applied during production on a Nexfinity or Nexpress Digital Press. It contains an antimicrobial agent that inhibits microbial growth on the final printed product to prevent unsightly discoloration, unpleasant odors, and polymer degradation issues. The new Dry Ink offers broad spectrum efficacy against bacteria, fungi and mold. It is also currently being tested for activity against viruses.

Kodak Antimicrobial Clear Dry Ink allows each printed piece to be provided with an antimicrobial coating in a simple in-line process without needing a separate processing step. This protective effect is long-lasting and does not wear off. It is suitable for use with products that are subject to touching by multiple users, which increases opportunities for bacteria or fungus exposure. Users can thus offer their customers prints with particular added value, provide critical products with a special protective feature and generate more turnover. Typical applications cover a wide range of printed products such as photobooks, menus, business cards, playing cards, manuals, book covers and many more.

The new Antimicrobial Clear Dry Ink adds to the twelve different special Dry Inks which Kodak has developed for the Fifth Imaging Unit of Kodak Nexfinity and Nexpress Digital Presses.

Explaining their decision to confer the award on Kodak, the EDP Awards panel commented: “Printing antimicrobial clear ink at high speed is something we all need today. Not only can this be used in glossy brochures but also for point of sale materials, placemats and many more applications. Kodak Antimicrobial Clear Dry Ink changes the way we think about print.”

“We are excited to have won a prestigious EDP Award for our sheetfed digital press platform for the fourth time running. This latest honor is evidence of Kodak’s commitment to the ongoing advancement of our electrophotographic digital presses in line with newly emerging technology and application needs,” said Randy D. Vandagriff, Senior Vice President of Kodak's Digital Print business.

EDP is an alliance of 21 leading digital print periodicals from all over Europe. Since 2007, the annual EDP Awards have honored the best and most promising new innovations in presses and systems, software, substrates, inks, materials, enhancement solutions and finishing systems for the digital sector.