Xaar Celebrates 30 Years as an Industrial Inkjet Innovator

Published: July 02, 2020

Xaar is reportedly celebrating its 30th birthday in style with champagne sent to every member of the team to toast the business and its role in pioneering the use of industrial inkjet technologies around the world. Based at Cambridge Science Park, Xaar was initially founded in 1990. The company signed its first commercial agreement in 1991 with Brother Industries who licensed the technology to develop home office printers and fax machines.

The company’s early inkjet printhead product range, which included the Xaar 128 and Xaar 500, was instrumental in the growth of the digital graphics and the coding and marking industries around the world. 

The launch of the Xaar 1001 was another significant advance in inkjet technology. The printhead’s unique architecture, Xaar’s Hybrid Side Shooter, enabled ink recirculation both behind the nozzle and throughout the entire channel.

The company’s first printheads were manufactured in Järfälla, Sweden, and in 2007, Xaar opened its new state-of-the-art factory in Huntingdon, UK.

Investment in R&D has been central to Xaar’s progress as an independent business and represents around 11 percent of business revenue. This focus on R&D has resulted in over 2000 patent applications, and the development of ground-breaking inkjet printheads and technologies.

Recent innovations have included High Laydown Technology and Ultra High Viscosity. Such developments have increased the flexibility of the Xaar ceramics portfolio and opened growth in new cutting-edge sectors such as 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.

A particular highlight for Xaar was its nomination for a Queen’s Award in 1995 and an appearance on the BBC’s ‘Tomorrow’s World’ TV program, introduced by Prince Charles. Xaar also won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category in 2005.

“While I have only recently joined Xaar as CEO, it is clear to me that the team at Xaar has always been fundamental to delivering our vision, and I have been extremely impressed with their expertise and commitment. Celebrating our 30th birthday recognizes all their efforts,” said John Mills, CEO of Xaar.

For more information, visit https://www.xaar.com/en/.