Highland Corporate assisted Kento Digital Printing, S.L. in securing lines of finance.

FUNDING SECURED
We advised Kento Digital Printing in securing credit lines totaling €4 million across various debt instruments to finance the different facilities for their initial machine developments. Kento has developed and internationally patented hybrid printing technology (digital + analog) for corrugated cardboard.

Highland Corporate has acted as exclusive advisor to Kento Digital Printing, S.L.
2023 – 2024

Highland Corporate assisted Kento Digital Printing, S.L. in securing lines of finance.

BACKGROUND

Kento Digital Printing designs, manufactures, and markets industrial hybrid single-pass digital printing machines primarily for corrugated board and, to a lesser extent, for certain types of plastic.
Kento Digital Printing’s hybrid single-pass printing technology is a milestone in the digital transformation of the corrugated packaging industry. The single-pass digital inkjet printing line is equipped with one or more flexo units for printing backgrounds, spot colors, and other high-value applications and is specifically designed for the corrugated packaging industry.

Kento’s proposal, registered as Kento Hybrid® and patented, is a printing line conceived to handle short and medium production runs on corrugated cardboard with high efficiency: it prints on all types of paper and fluting with thicknesses ranging from 0.8 to 12 millimeters, features an open ink system approved by the most important manufacturers in the market, which also comply with the strictest food safety standards (Nestlé, Swiss Ordinance), and holds recyclability and repulpability certifications. All of this is supported by patents, making it a unique international offering.

The capabilities of the engineering team are enabling future expansion, including printing on certain plastic surfaces, developing machines for installation in different locations along the corrugated packaging value chain, and applying specific concepts to other types of surfaces.

TRANSACTION

Kento was founded in 2020 in Burriana, Castellón, with a very solid financial structure based entirely on equity. Developing a technological model in Spain faces the limitations of the country’s financing market. This challenge is further amplified when selling capital equipment that, while technologically differentiated through patents and intellectual property, entails significant working capital requirements in Kento’s case. This has been addressed by actively seeking alternative financing channels to support the growth phase, leveraging the support of organizations such as AFÍN-SGR, CESCE, CDTI, IVF, as well as various financial institutions.

Based on the unique technological model, the robust initial financial structure, and a world-class human team, the first installations have been achieved in Spain and the United States, and the next one is currently being developed in Morocco. The business opportunity pipeline exceeds 200 contacts.

On the other hand, Kento has attracted the interest of international industrial groups due to the truly unique, worldwide nature of its technology