Xaar
Xaar plc is a UK-based, publicly traded manufacturer of piezoelectric drop-on-demand industrial inkjet printheads, print engines and fluid management systems, sold primarily to OEM partners and regional distributors serving ceramics, packaging, glass, coding/marking, 3D printing, textiles and EV battery coating applications.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersHuntingdon, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Xaar does
Xaar plc is a publicly traded (London Stock Exchange) UK-incorporated manufacturer of piezoelectric drop-on-demand industrial inkjet technology, founded in 1990 and operating for over 30 years from its UK manufacturing base. The company designs and produces industrial inkjet printheads across multiple product families (eX Series, Aquinox, Irix, Nitrox, 2002, 50X Series), along with integrated print engines (Versatex Printbar, Versatex Print Engine, Inkjet Development System), fluid management systems (Hydra, Midas HV HFR, X-IST) and approved inks. Its differentiation rests on proprietary technologies including TF continuous ink recirculation, Ultra High Viscosity jetting up to 100 cP, High Laydown deposition up to 240 g/m², AcuChp nozzle calibration, SureFlow self-cleaning, XaarGuard nozzle protection and the newer aQ Power aqueous architecture, supported by 70+ live patents and 100+ inventors.
The business operates primarily through an OEM-embedded go-to-market model, supplying printheads, engines and components to printer manufacturers, fluid formulators and system integrators who embed Xaar technology into their equipment, supplemented by direct technical support and a six-region distributor network (Colordyne, Esagraf, inPrintout, Jet Technologies, Nilpeter, Printpac) for the Versatex Printbar. End applications span at least nine verticals: ceramics, packaging (corrugate, labels, flexible), glass, coding and marking, direct-to-shape packaging, textiles, 3D/additive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing including EV battery coatings, and biomedical/printed electronics.
Revenue is generated via hardware sales of printheads, engines and fluid systems, plus associated inks, technical support and application development services. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Xaar has expanded into adjacent verticals through Engineered Printing Solutions (EPS, described as a Xaar company) and is positioning EV battery coating and the ImagineX platform as next-generation growth vectors. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications apply to its UK manufacturing facility.
Xaar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Xaar
- Legal name
- Xaar plc
- Website
- https://xaar.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Xaar plc is a UK-based, publicly traded manufacturer of piezoelectric drop-on-demand industrial inkjet printheads, print engines and fluid management systems, sold primarily to OEM partners and regional distributors serving ceramics, packaging, glass, coding/marking, 3D printing, textiles and EV battery coating applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Xaar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Inkjet Printing Equipment
- NAICS
- Printing Ink Manufacturing (325910), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)
- SIC
- Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Production & High-Volume Printing Systems (HDACAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Large-Format & Industrial Production 3D Printers (High-Throughput Systems) (IMAAAAAK)
Keywords
Where Xaar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Huntingdon
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Xaar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Printhead Sales: Xaar designs, manufactures, and sells digital inkjet printheads for industrial applications. The product portfolio includes various printhead families (Xaar eX Series, Xaar Aquinox, Xaar Irix, Xaar Nitrox, Xaar 2002, Xaar 50X Series) with different specifications for fluid types, drop volumes, and applications.
- Print Engines and Systems Components: Sale of integrated print engines including Xaar Versatex Print Engine, Xaar Inkjet Development System, and fluid management systems (Xaar Hydra, Xaar Midas HV HFR). These products combine printheads with datapath and ink supply systems in user-friendly solutions.
- Inks and Fluids: Xaar offers a range of approved inks and fluids optimized for their printhead technology. The company provides fluid development services and waveform optimization for customer-specific fluids.
- Technical Support and Development Services: Xaar provides technical support, application development consultancy, training, and ongoing support services to help customers integrate and optimize inkjet solutions.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Xaar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Xaar designs, manufactures, and sells industrial piezoelectric drop-on-demand inkjet printheads, integrated print engines, and fluid management systems for OEM partners and industrial manufacturers. The company supplies hardware and technology components that printer manufacturers, fluid formulators, and system integrators embed into their own industrial printing and manufacturing equipment across applications including ceramics, packaging, textiles, glass, coding and marking, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing such as EV battery coatings.
Product overview
Xaar is a world-leading independent manufacturer of piezoelectric drop-on-demand inkjet technologies. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial inkjet products including printheads (Xaar eX Series, Aquinox, Irix, Nitrox, 2002, and 50X Series), print engines (Versatex Printbar, Versatex Print Engine, Inkjet Development System, Versatex Evaluation Kit), and fluid management systems (Hydra, Midas HV HFR, X-IST). The product portfolio is organized around core technologies including TF Technology for ink recirculation, High Laydown Technology, Ultra High Viscosity Technology, AcuChp Technology, and SureFlow self-cleaning. Applications span ceramics, packaging, labelling, direct-to-shape, coding and marking, glass, textiles, wide-format graphics, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing including EV battery coatings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Xaar Hydra: Fluid management system for ink supply and recirculation supporting Xaar printheads
- Xaar Midas HV HFR
- Xaar Nitrox
- Xaar 2002
- Xaar eX Series
- Xaar Aquinox
- Xaar Irix
- Xaar Versatex
- Xaar Inkjet Development System
- Xaar X-IST
Products and services
- Xaar eX Series Specialist UV coating printhead for new generation batteries for electric cars, energy storage, and other applications. Features TF Technology, High Laydown Technology, and Ultra High Viscosity Technology (up to 100 cP).
- Xaar Aquinox Revolutionary aqueous printhead incorporating aQ Power Technology for jetting fluids up to 100 cP with TF Technology fluid recirculation and AcuChp Technology for print colour uniformity.
- Xaar Irix Printhead with exceptional print quality using latest nozzle manufacturing techniques, featuring AcuDrp technology for unparalleled print uniformity and wide operating window for increased reliability and uptime. Available in Core and Pro variants. Designed for coding and marking applications.
- Xaar Nitrox High-speed printhead printing at up to 48 kHz with unbeatable print uniformity using AcuChp Technology. Wide range of fluids and operational modes. Available in Core, Pro, and Elite variants.
- Xaar 2002 Premium printhead delivering exceptional print quality at 720 npi with plug and print capability. Jets up to 100 cP high viscosity fluids with TF Technology ink recirculation. Available in Plus, Premium, and Advanced variants for ceramics, packaging and labelling.
- Xaar 50X Series Series of printheads with 500 nozzles in 70 mm width. Features TF Technology, PrecisionPlus, and greyscale capability. Supports viscosities up to 60 cP. Includes 501 and 502 sub-models with O/OR/U/UR variants.
- Xaar Versatex Printbar Digital inkjet printbar enabling varnish embellishments, high opacity whites, and variable data printing. Features High Creativity Mode for simultaneous gloss and matt finishes. Powered by Xaar Nitrox printheads.
- Xaar Inkjet Development System Flexible development kit containing inkjet components to build a fully functional prototype system including printheads, mechanical mounting kit, drive electronics, ink supply system, print server and Xaar test fluid.
- Xaar Versatex Print Engine Out-of-the-box print engine with complete flexibility to develop and integrate a single digital inkjet channel or colour. Comprises datapath, ink supply system, and Xaar 2002 printheads with integrated software.
- Xaar Versatex Evaluation Kit Initial inkjet system configurable up to approximately 210 mm print width using Xaar Nitrox or Xaar 2002 printheads with integrated ink system, datapath, and software for full validation before transitioning to a full print engine.
- Xaar Hydra Recirculating ink supply system supporting Xaar Nitrox, Xaar Aquinox, Xaar 1003, Xaar 2002 and Xaar 50x series printheads. Controls nozzle pressure, ink flow rate and temperature with precise temperature control.
- Xaar Midas HV HFR Compact fluid supply system with high volume output capable of supplying fluid for up to five individual printheads. Ideal for OEMs and integrators scaling up to support wider printbars.
- Xaar Ink System Test Kit (X-IST) Tool for correct setup of ink supply systems allowing measurement and observation of pressure and temperature in printhead and ink supply system to derive meniscus pressure, differential pressure and jetting viscosity.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 60% higher color densities measured when printing high viscosity aqueous fluids (Swansea University research)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Xaar
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Xaar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature8 records
Xaar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- TecglasscoreLong-standing partnership where Tecglass integrates Xaar 2001 printheads into their Vitro-Jet range of advanced digital glass decoration printers. Xaar has validated Tecglass inks for compatibility and developed optimized waveforms for each Tecglass ink to ensure maximum printing reliability, manufacturing performance, and excellent image quality.
- Engineered Printing Solutions (EPS)coreEPS is a Xaar company and leader in direct product decoration, providing both analogue and digital inkjet bespoke printing solutions. Using Xaar technology, EPS manufactures and services digital inkjet solutions for product printing across promotional, packaging, medical, automotive, apparel, appliances, sports equipment and toys sectors.
- Swansea University - Welsh Centre for Printing and CoatingsupportingIndependent research partnership where Swansea University conducted peer-reviewed studies validating Xaar's high viscosity aqueous ink technology. The research showed advantages including up to 60% higher color densities and verified benefits for corrugate printing applications.
- Colordyne (USA)coreAuthorized distributor for Xaar Versatex Printbar in the USA market, providing sales and support for the digital printbar solution.
- Nilpeter (Denmark & Italy)coreAuthorized distributor for Xaar Versatex Printbar in Denmark and Italy, providing regional sales and support for the digital printbar solution.
- Esagraf (Spain)coreAuthorized distributor for Xaar Versatex Printbar in Spain, providing regional sales and support.
- inPrintout (Portugal)coreAuthorized distributor for Xaar Versatex Printbar in Portugal, providing regional sales and support.
- Jet Technologies (Australia)coreAuthorized distributor for Xaar Versatex Printbar in Australia, providing regional sales and support.
- Printpac (United Kingdom)coreAuthorized distributor for Xaar Versatex Printbar in the United Kingdom, providing regional sales and support.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Xaar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Konica Minolta (Industrial Inkjet): Konica Minolta is one of the world's leading piezo inkjet printhead manufacturers (via its Inkjet Business Unit). It competes directly with Xaar in industrial and functional fluid deposition, including high-viscosity and UV-curable applications, serving OEM press manufacturers across ceramics, packaging, and graphics.
- Ricoh (Industrial Printheads): Ricoh manufactures industrial piezoelectric inkjet printheads (GEN4/GEN5 families) used in commercial and industrial printing, directly competing with Xaar's eX, Nitrox, and 2002 product lines in coding/marking, packaging, and industrial applications.
- Fujifilm Dimatix: Fujifilm's Dimatix division is a leading independent manufacturer of industrial inkjet printheads and a direct head-to-head competitor with Xaar in OEM-embedded industrial inkjet, particularly in graphics and packaging applications.
- Kyocera (Industrial Inkjet Components): Kyocera is a major manufacturer of piezoelectric inkjet printheads (KJ4 series) targeting industrial textile, packaging, and decorative applications, directly overlapping with Xaar's target markets and product architecture.
Broad incumbents
- Epson (PrecisionCore): Epson is a broad incumbent with Micro Piezo technology across commercial, industrial, and label printing. While its primary focus is on print engines and finished systems, its PrecisionCore printhead IP makes it an indirect competitor to Xaar's industrial OEM-embedded business.
- Canon Production Printing: Canon's Production Printing group (formerly Océ) competes in industrial/commercial inkjet printing with its own printhead and system solutions. While not a pure printhead merchant, it is an adjacent incumbent in overlapping industrial print markets.
- HP (Industrial Print): HP operates large industrial inkjet platforms (PageWide) for packaging, labels, and commercial printing, overlapping with several of Xaar's end-application markets (packaging, coding & marking, packaging corrugate).
- Heidelberg Druckmaschinen: Heidelberg is a major industrial press manufacturer (including Gallus for labels) that sells complete inkjet-equipped systems to commercial printers, sitting adjacent to Xaar's OEM printhead-enabled solutions in packaging and label markets.
Emerging players
- Durst Group: Durst is a leading European manufacturer of digital industrial inkjet printing systems for ceramics, labels, and packaging — overlapping with Xaar's customer base of OEM system integrators in ceramics and packaging printing.
- Roland DG: Roland DG is a specialist in UV-LED and digital print technologies used in sign, graphics, packaging, and direct-to-object printing, with complementary printhead-integrating systems to Xaar's broader industrial printing portfolio.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Xaar social profiles
Digital presenceXaar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Xaar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Xaar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Xaar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Xaar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Xaar
What does Xaar do?
Xaar designs, manufactures, and sells industrial piezoelectric drop-on-demand inkjet printheads, integrated print engines, and fluid management systems for OEM partners and industrial manufacturers. The company supplies hardware and technology components that printer manufacturers, fluid formulators, and system integrators embed into their own industrial printing and manufacturing equipment across applications including ceramics, packaging, textiles, glass, coding and marking, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing such as EV battery coatings.
Is Xaar a public or private company?
Xaar is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Xaar founded?
Xaar was founded in 1990. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Xaar based?
Xaar is headquartered in Huntingdon, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Xaar make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Printhead Sales are the primary driver. The others are print Engines and Systems Components, inks and Fluids and technical Support and Development Services.
Who are Xaar's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Konica Minolta (Industrial Inkjet), Ricoh (Industrial Printheads), Fujifilm Dimatix and Kyocera (Industrial Inkjet Components). Broad incumbents are Epson (PrecisionCore), Canon Production Printing, HP (Industrial Print) and Heidelberg Druckmaschinen. Emerging players are Durst Group and Roland DG.
Does Xaar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Xaar.
What industry is Xaar in?
Xaar's product category is Industrial Inkjet Printing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAEAJ, Production & High-Volume Printing Systems, with a secondary code of IMAAAAAK, Large-Format & Industrial Production 3D Printers (High-Throughput Systems). Its NAICS code is 325910 and its SIC code is 3555.