Markem-Imaje Expands Wax-Based Ink Production in Keene, NH

Markem-Imaje, part of Dover, announced a major investment in its Keene, NH facility to expand production capacity for its sustainable, wax-based Touch Dry inks.

The expansion adds a new ink production line at the company’s EcoVadis Platinum Sustainability-rated site in Keene, underscoring Markem-Imaje’s long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and regional economic development. This strategic investment boosts the company’s ability to meet growing global demand for high-performance, environmentally responsible coding solutions.

“We’ve seen consistent global growth in demand for our Touch Dry ink technology, driven by our customers’ increasing emphasis on operational efficiency,” says Dane Hileman, product division director at Markem-Imaje. “With this expansion in Keene, we’re strengthening our global production capabilities while continuing to invest in the local community.”

Touch Dry inks are an advanced wax-based formulation that solidifies on contact for durable, high-resolution codes. Used with the Markem-Imaje Large Character High Resolution Piezo inkjet coders 5940 G and 5800, these inks enable the label-free, precision printing of 1D and 2D barcodes (including GS1 Digital Link standard 2D codes), logos, text, and graphics directly onto corrugated boxes, trays, shrink wrap, polystyrene, and other porous, semi-porous, and non-porous packaging materials.

The technology is ideal for a wide range of industries, including fresh produce, beverages, meats, confections, frozen foods, and industrial goods.

Free from odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Touch Dry inks, available in a variety of colors, are safer to handle and more sustainable than conventional liquid ink alternatives. In addition, Touch Dry inks will not spread along corrugated fibers or lose resolution.

This latest expansion in Keene complements Markem-Imaje’s broader commitment to New Hampshire. In addition to its long-established operations in Keene, the company will open a new research and development office in Salem, NH.