Our Cincinnati Small Packaging facility is expanding its capabilities with the addition of a world-class sheet-fed coating line and the latest generation metal printing technology. The investment includes a new Inghor coating line and KBA offset printing line, bringing first-of-their-kind metal coating and decorating capabilities to Mauser’s U.S. operations.
Designed with a focus on production stability, operational reliability, and consistent quality, the equipment enhances our ability to meet evolving customer needs while improving efficiency and sustainability.
The new Inghor coating line is the first servo-driven line installed within Mauser Packaging Solutions. This technology reduces mechanical complexity, improving reliability while enabling faster job setup and greater production consistency. The line incorporates a thermo cure oven with integrated oxidizer and is designed for future technology upgrades that will strengthen quality control and process monitoring with an emphasis on inline systems.
The new KBA Metal Star 4 (MS4) offset printing line provides seven-color offset printing capabilities, enhanced quality control through an in-line vision system, and energy savings through LED-curing technology. This technology positions Mauser as the first industrial packaging company in the U.S. to deploy large-scale commercial printing combined with LED curing in metal decorating. Compared with currently used more traditional printing methods, the addition of the new Metal Star 4 printer enables faster design changes, reduced setup times, and more cost-effective small production runs, allowing us to respond more quickly to customers’ changing requirements.
What’s the Difference?
Coating vs. Printing
Coating (Inghor line) is the foundational process of applying a protective, uniform layer of lacquer or base paint over the bare metal (tinplate). Coating protects the metal against rust and prevents the packaged product from reacting with the metal.
Printing (KBA MS4 line) is an application process of high-resolution, variable images (like logos and colorful graphics) directly onto the can using digitally engraved press plates. Printing is typically applied on top of exterior coating.
State-of-the-Art Technology
The addition of these advanced technologies brings leading-edge metal decorating capabilities to our Cincinnati facility. Together, the new coating and printing lines enhance flexibility, quality, and production efficiency while expanding our ability to serve both commercial and customer-direct markets. These capabilities support faster response times –potentially lower minimum order quantities – and just-in-time production, creating a more agile supply chain. Collectively, these enhancements strengthen our competitive position and help us meet evolving customer needs.
Supporting Sustainability Goals
Beyond operational improvements, the equipment delivers meaningful environmental benefits that support our sustainability goals. The LED curing system on the printing line will reduce energy consumption by up to 80% (compared to conventional curing systems), helping lower our environmental footprint and improve overall operational efficiency.
Positioning Cincinnati for the Future
These new capabilities strengthen Cincinnati’s position as a leader in coating and metal decorating technology. By improving quality, increasing efficiency, enhancing sustainability and expanding customization capabilities, we are better equipped to serve customers, respond to market demands and support the long-term growth of our business.