With the launch of H40 Plus, Swedev marks the result of several years of product development and real-world testing in close collaboration with customers. The goal has been clear from the start. To create a blade that combines high print quality with sufficient durability, designed to meet the growing demands in printing. We spoke with Mikael, product developer at Swedev, about the journey from early concepts to a market-ready product.
“We started with several concept blades, and this was one of the paths we explored. Internally, it went under the names “Concept D” and “Fat Coat” because the coating layer was thicker than usual,” Mikael explains.
The aim was to investigate whether a thicker coating could improve durability in demanding printing conditions. Especially where pigments such as titanium dioxide tend to wear heavily on the blade. After years of field testing and positive customer feedback, particularly within corrugated and fruit packaging, it became clear that the concept had real potential.
“When we saw that it worked well in those applications, and that we had enough customer feedback and stable production, we could move from the concept stage to giving it an actual name.”
The name H40 Plus refers to the coating thickness and the specific steel grade used as its base. It also pays tribute to Swedev’s 40-year anniversary, making it a natural name for a product developed to mark this milestone.
“It’s always about balance, how hard should the coating be, how long should the blade last, and what can the equipment handle? H 40 Plus is built to last just long enough and deliver high print quality at a reasonable cost.”
Mikael emphasizes that the goal was never to create the hardest or most extreme blade, but one that performs optimally in real printing environments.
“You can make a blade that lasts longer, like ceramic ones, but then it starts wearing on machine components. Our focus has been to find the right balance: high wear resistance without damaging other parts.”
Mikael points out that every coated product involves a chemical process, but what matters is how that process is managed.
“At Swedev, all coating is done in a closed system where we purify and reuse the chemicals. This minimizes emissions, ensures consistent coating quality, and reduces our environmental impact,” he explains.
He adds that sustainability must be viewed as a whole:
“From an environmental perspective, there’s always a cost to coating. But since these blades last longer, you reduce the number of stops, restarts, and waste, lowering the total footprint.”
The process is complemented by Swedev’s internal purification systems and the full recyclability of the steel used.
“The blades are 100 percent recyclable. They can be melted down and reused as new steel products.”
H40 Plus is the latest generation of coated doctor blades from Swedcut, engineered for printers who demand high performance without unnecessary wear or cost. Developed through years of testing and close collaboration with customers, H40 Plus combines premium print quality with exceptional stability and balanced durability.
Designed as a smarter alternative to ceramic blades, it delivers long-lasting performance for most corrugated and cartonboard, even under high-wear conditions. Manufactured from 100% recyclable Swedish steel in a closed, low-impact process, H40 Plus offers consistent precision while supporting a more sustainable production. A balanced, cost-efficient, and responsible way to achieve ceramic-level performance.
