By: Reynders Etiketten

With eight production sites in six countries, the family-owned Reynders business has been supplying the label industry for more than 50 years and is now under third generation management.  Established in 1956, and headquartered in Boechout, Belgium with plants in France, Poland, Spain, Germany and India, the company now employs more than 700 people of which approximately half that number work in Belgium.

The company, which is managed by a team of five people representing Sales, Finance, Production and two additional family members, Sébastiaan Reynders (Buying, Planning & Logistics) and Bart Reynders (Sales Manager Pharmaceutical Labels), has been renowned for the variety and quality of its printed output and innovative techniques since it began to specialise in labels in the 1980s.  The first contact with Vetaphone came more than 30 years ago when Marc Reynders and Dirk Den Haese of Vetaphone Benelux began discussing how best to equip the company’s converting lines, mostly ABG and GM machines and in the early days Nilpeter printing presses, with reliable and efficient corona technology.

Since then, Vetaphone has installed more than 50 of its corona units at Reynders’ plants with more due for installation.  Speaking for Reynders, Operations Manager Joris Mermans said: “What we particularly appreciate with Vetaphone corona is its low maintenance requirements.  We very rarely have any issues with the easy access cartridge system and if we do, then spare parts are readily available and delivered quickly.”

Responding for Vetaphone, Dirk Den Haese commented: “Surface treatment might be only an ancillary part of the overall production process, but it’s one of the most vital links in the chain if you are dealing with film or foil materials.  Poor quality corona coverage will pose quality issues downstream and can involve costly reprints which neither converters nor customers can afford.”

Most of the label capability at Reynders is 330mm and 550mm web width, with 2kW corona power for the oldest machines and 4kW for the most resent printing presses with higher speeds and more demanding substrates.  Reynders is using a mix of machine manufacturers’ technology including Gallus and Mark Andy presses that produce self-adhesive labels, sleeves, flexible packaging and IML for markets that include pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food & beverage, industrial, automotive, chemical and household & garden.

The company prides itself on its sustainability record, and operates under the mantra of: ‘Smart, Safe & Sustainable’ stating that a green future begins with the choices we make today.  As Joris Mermans explained: “Sustainability is in the process, not just in the materials.  Producing labels as efficiently as possible combined with care for the environment and its employees is what sustainability means to Reynders.”

Making the right choice is a key part of ‘being green’.   For instance, a paper label is not always the most environmentally friendly if, when applied to a PET bottle, it makes recycling more complex.  Likewise, cartons can often be used only once, whereas plastic packaging can have multiple lives. Reynders label printing works by responsible sourcing, reducing, and recycling.  In addition to a return on investment, the company says it strongly focusses on all possible environmental effects.

As Dirk Den Haese concluded: “Plastic packaging has an increasingly poor reputation in the eyes of the public, but this is largely undeserved because it offers significant advantages that paper-based packaging cannot.  At Vetaphone, we are constantly working with new and more ecologically friendly substrates, and value the cooperation we have long held with Reynders to meet their environmental requirements.”

By: Tiger Capital Group, LLC.

As Tiger’s intellectual property (IP)-related deal flow continues to grow, Zolot will leverage decades of experience in complex M&A transactions, business-development and consumer-brand strategy to provide creative brand monetization solutions to clients

NEW YORK – May 13, 2024 — David Zolot, a high-impact investment professional who brings nearly 25 years of experience in corporate, IP and consumer-brand strategy, has joined Tiger Capital Group as Managing Director, Brand Strategies.

A veteran of the consumer branded space, Zolot has served in senior executive roles at brand management firms Iconix Brands, Saban Brands, and most recently as a Principal at New York-based Neuberger Berman, where he focused on their Marquee Brands investment strategy. In this latter role, Zolot led a deal team that completed and integrated 10 new brand acquisitions and strategic investments, scaling Marquee from an early-stage startup to a global brand management firm generating retail equivalent sales in excess of $3 billion annually. 

At Tiger, Zolot heads a new business initiative focused on creative, value-enhancing opportunities to the growing roster of consumer-facing brands served by the company’s finance, valuation and advisory services divisions. His role also includes business development across all divisions. 

“Tiger’s IP deal flow continues to expand and evolve, and we are investing in and working with more consumer-facing brands that boast strong growth and M&A potential,” noted Tiger Capital Group Chief Operating Officer Michael McGrail. “David’s impressive professional network and mastery of brand and IP valuation, management and monetization, as well as M&A execution, will benefit every facet of our business. We’re thrilled to welcome David to the Tiger team.” 

A University of Michigan Bachelor of Business Administration graduate, Zolot started his career at New York-based Peter J. Solomon Company, where he executed M&A, financing and restructuring transactions for the former Lehman Brothers chairman’s eponymous, boutique investment banking firm. 

The New York native has closed over a hundred debt, equity and capital markets transactions approaching $5 billion in aggregate consideration over the course of his career, including highly complex deals involving bankruptcies, corporate carveouts, cross-border negotiations and transitions from public to private ownership.

As Zolot sees it, there is a meaningful opportunity for Tiger to invest in or otherwise monetize brands that come in through, or are able to utilize, Tiger’s existing platform. “I’m excited to leverage my network and experience to drive revenue across Tiger’s organization, with a focus on executing creative, value-enhancing deals for consumer brands. I look forward to working closely with the talented team at Tiger Capital Group to lead this new initiative and to help expand the services and solutions offered to our clients.”

By: Hybrid Software

(Ghent, Belgium) Hybrid Software, developer of innovative productivity tools for label & package printing, will demonstrate Version 10 of its PACKZ PDF packaging editor at the Drupa trade fair starting on May 28 in Düsseldorf, Germany. PACKZ Version 10 adds deep connectivity to EngView’s Package & Display Designer CAD software to better support existing EngView users as well as any folding carton printer who is looking for a modern, user-friendly CAD alternative. This collaborative solution adds to the already-extensive range of editing and automation tools in PACKZ 10 and marks a significant advancement in packaging production for folding cartons.

Hybrid Software President Patrick Coussement states, “PACKZ has long supported connectivity with structural design software via open interfaces, but the direct connection to EngView is much more streamlined and productive for folding carton designers and printers. EngView has an excellent reputation and offers both Mac and PC versions of their software, just as we do with PACKZ. We’re looking forward to a long and successful partnership and continued innovation on behalf of our mutual customers.”

Boriana Stoimenova, Head of the Packaging Division at EngView Systems, comments on the integration between EngView Package & Display Designer and Hybrid’s PACKZ:

“As two leading companies, committed to providing high-quality innovative solutions for the packaging industry, sharing the same customer-oriented values, it’s the natural progression for EngView and Hybrid to form an alliance. This collaboration aims to empower our customers by automating the packaging design and production processes. It will significantly improve their efficiency and reduce the time-to-market. Given the smooth and effective cooperation between our teams so far, I am genuinely excited about this venture and believe we can discover even more ways to integrate EngView’s and Hybrid’s products. “

Discover all innovative productivity tools of the only all-in-one PDF editors for label and packaging graphics at www.hybridsoftware.com, or visit Hall 7a, Stand D03 at drupa for a personalized demonstration.

By: UPM Raflatac

UPM Raflatac has announced the launch of its innovative New Wave paper label material compatible with recycling. It is the first RecyClass certified paper label material to obtain a Letter of Compatibility for use on rigid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) containers. The test results confirm the compatibility even for natural and white material streams, which require the highest purity of recyclate from the recycling processes. This groundbreaking new label material represents a major step forward in the recycling of rigid plastic packaging, helping brand owners continue to make the shift towards enhanced circularity. At the moment, New Wave is the only RecyClass-recognized label solution for rigid natural and white HDPE and PP material streams.

The New Wave label material is designed to provide functionality for the full life cycle of products, primarily home and personal care products such as soap bottles or washing detergent containers. It supports the purity of recycled materials by washing off cleanly at just 40°C using plain water with no chemicals required. Available now to customers in EMEIA, followed by the Asian market, the New Wave label material is tested to perform without fiberloss in the recycling process, helping to prevent contamination in material streams. This ensures the resulting recyclate can be used again in new packaging without compromising on quality and gives producers more choice when it comes to using label materials from a renewable source.

Until now, obtaining RecyClass approval for natural and white HDPE and PP rigid packaging has been difficult due to the lack of any RecyClass approved label. However, with the introduction of the New Wave paper label material, brands can now achieve certification for the final packaging with New Wave label material certified by RecyClass. This Letter of Compatibility confirms that the label material is compatible with recycling technologies used at an industrial scale.

“When brands choose the New Wave Label material for their rigid HDPE or PP packaging, they can make the full package eligible for RecyClass certification. Brand owners will not have to test the packaging further if all packaging components have either a letter of compatibility, a technology approval letter, or the material choice meets RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines,” states Robert Taylor, Director Sustainability, UPM Raflatac.

“This launch marks a significant breakthrough in our efforts to enhance the circularity of plastic packaging,” says Sylwia Jurys, Vice President, Paper Laminates, UPM Raflatac. “As regulations such as the European Packaging and Packaging Wate Regulation (PPWR) continue to evolve, we have worked with RecyClass to provide a solution that not only meets strict recycling criteria but also sets a new standard for sustainable packaging. We are proud to lead the way in recyclable packaging solutions, helping brand owners meet their sustainability targets and close the loop to support a circular packaging economy.”

UPM Raflatac’s ongoing commitment to sustainability is delivered through the company’s Beyond Fossils ambition. The New Wave label is a testament to the company’s innovative spirit and its dedication to the principles of circular economy.

By: DALIM SOFTWARE

A new generation of software for a new generation of print to be demonstrated at Hall 16/A40 and Hall 7a/D01

DALIM SOFTWARE (www.dalim.com), a leading provider of software solutions for creating, producing, and managing print and digital content, will be showcasing its next-generation platform, comprising the renowned DALIM ES and DALIM TWIST products, at drupa 2024, stands Hall 16/A40 and Hall 7a/D01, demonstrating how businesses can streamline their production operations for enhanced efficiency and scalability.

As the demand for content continues to skyrocket across various formats and channels, businesses are facing unprecedented challenges in scaling their operations to meet these growing needs. Many organizations are finding that their existing in-house developed solutions and legacy systems are limiting their ability to expand their offerings and scale production effectively. This realization has led to a critical evaluation of their technology investments, with a focus on finding versatile, scalable solutions that can be easily integrated and built upon.

In this evolving landscape, the ‘buy vs. build’ debate has taken centre stage, with integration capabilities and platform consolidation becoming more crucial than ever. Companies are recognizing the need for highly flexible solutions that offer an intuitive user experience and powerful automation capabilities, allowing them to focus on their core business offerings while expanding their capabilities. DALIM ES and DALIM TWIST address these challenges head-on, providing a re-invented content lifecycle production platform with unlimited scalability, empowering businesses to meet the demands of the digital revolution in both print and online.

The new software is built on a unique platform embracing what DALIM SOFTWARE calls its future-proof MACH architecture: 

• Micro-services: for flexibility, and optimized up and down scalability

• API-first: enabling seamless integration of any platform component with existing systems

• Cloud native: for 24/7 access from anywhere under proven security and smart auto-scaling, without managing a complex IT infrastructure

• Headless: for advanced users who can build their own tailored applications and UX/UI

While new print applications and device types continue to emerge and legacy print systems consolidate, the world of print production is evolving rapidly. Workflow solutions must now catch up with hardware advancements, a reversal of the previous challenge. By leveraging the MACH framework, DALIM SOFTWARE’s platform can handle any volume while maintaining high-quality output, ensuring process efficiency, and optimizing resources in a faster, better, and smarter way. The platform is designed to meet the demands of the next generation of production obstacles, supporting businesses in their quest to stay ahead in an ever-changing landscape.

“Print providers, agencies, and brands face daily challenges with high volume and diverse content demands. Distributed teams and customers require solutions that enable work from anywhere. DALIM SOFTWARE’s platform focuses on solving any challenge, present or future,” states Tim D’Elia, Director of Product Strategy. “Our customizable, scalable technology automates and streamlines tasks, allowing teams to focus on their strengths while workflow ensures error-free media. DALIM ES and DALIM TWIST, working together in our next-generation platform, can be applied to any process, improving operational performance, enabling scaling, and delivering the best quality.”

DALIM ES: A complete, end-to-end solution for just about any print and online production challenges

DALIM ES provides an end-to-end solution for automating and managing the entire content lifecycle, from creation and collaboration to optimization and distribution, across various content production industries. It also has the most comprehensive browser-based review tool, with a colour-accurate viewer, detailed analysis tools, revision comparison, annotations, and approval workflow that streamlines processes, reduces costs and enhances quality. The new DALIM ES low-code application editor empowers advanced users to extend the system, creating custom solutions to address specific needs, customer experiences, or emerging market challenges. It simplifies the management of multiple brands, content types, and channels by providing an adaptive centralized platform, streamlined workflows, and automated processes. In doing so, DALIM ES saves time and reduces manual effort, for a faster time-to-market, allowing teams to focus on higher-value tasks.

DALIM TWIST: Production automation for virtually any print or online output

For decades, DALIM TWIST has helped a wide range of users automate time-consuming prepress processes from preflighting, to final file prep for output, to any print or online medium, eliminating manual errors in the process. The next-generation DALIM TWIST, with its modern architecture, will help organizations scale up their operations to meet peak performance challenges, and down to help towards sustainability goals. DALIM TWIST can be integrated with a wide range of hardware and software, including existing systems and digital print devices. In addition, TWIST DRIVE, an API-based tool that easily fits into existing production workflows, can help scale and process reliable quality checks & fixes of up to millions of PDF pages per day.

“Since introducing DALIM TWIST as the first graphical interface production workflow at drupa 1995, DALIM SOFTWARE has consistently focused on developing highly configurable software that adapts to any need or situation, empowering businesses to tailor solutions to their unique requirements. In a sense, we were enabling people to train machines to assist them with tasks long before the AI revolution we see today. We believe that we make heroes of our direct customers by providing them with the tools to easily create automated solutions for complex challenges. It’s why DALIM SOFTWARE is proud to have so many long-standing customer relationships,” explains Carol Werlé, DALIM SOFTWARE Chief Executive Officer. “DALIM SOFTWARE continues its innovative and award-winning mission of helping businesses achieve maximum productivity from their hardware and teams through scalable, automated production workflow systems. We simplify the process by offering one adaptable platform with multiple solutions to manage any digital format and generate high-quality output for both online and offline (print) channels. Present at drupa since 1990, our roots are in print. At drupa 2024, we look forward to showing our exciting new approach to building solutions for companies in search of future-proof solutions that are designed to last and sustain production constraints in an ever-changing media world.”

To schedule a specific drupa visit or demo to see how the DALIM platform handles online assets, collaboration and content production automation for printers, packaging companies, publishers, multichannel brands, marketing agencies, and much more, visit drupa.dalim.com.

By: Mark Andy Inc.

Mark Andy continues to organise special events for print-oriented students, which this year saw two groups of young people attend a workshop at its Warsaw-based Technology Centre.  More than 120 students from Polish technical universities and high schools participated in an Open House that consisted of theoretical and practical tutorials and demonstrations.  The workshops included presentations of the three printing presses installed in the Warsaw demo room, covering flexo and hybrid technologies.

“These meetings are aimed at our future printers, and the event has become a Mark Andy Europe tradition for the universities and high schools,” says Lena Chmielewska-Bontron, European Marketing Manager Mark Andy.  “This year we decided to split the students into two groups to match the sessions to their knowledge and qualifications.  So, we focused mainly on theory with the high school students, while the technical universities’ students took part in a practical workshop that included setting up presses and printing jobs.”

All the guests were able to see three Mark Andy presses in action, including the newest flexo line, the Pro Series.  “The feedback was very positive, and it was clear that our agenda really tapped into the students’ interest.  We were delighted to see their involvement as we’re all very conscious of the global shortage of highly skilled and qualified people in the printing industry.” 

Mark Andy has several goals in organising these events. “First, we leverage and create knowledge and provide a technical background for future print industry employees.  And second, we show and promote printing as a very interesting and future-proof industry, with label production being core to the Mark Andy business.”

Opening the event, Lena Chmielewska-Bontron warmly welcomed the students before handing over to Lukasz Chruslinski, European Sales Manager, who gave a keynote speech covering different aspects of label printing.  He started with a short presentation of Mark Andy as a manufacturer and pioneer of narrow-web presses, with its 77 years of history and market presence. “Our company was a kind of cradle for narrow-web printing, because it started and developed with Mark Andrews, the founder of Mark Andy,” he underlined.

Today, Mark Andy is acknowledged as a global leader in narrow-web flexo presses, as well as a pioneer of flexo/digital hybrid technology, covering both inkjet- and toner-based techniques.  “We’re observing a significant and rapid growth in the sales of Mark Andy hybrids worldwide, right now,” he explained,

Lukasz Chruslinski went on to present current trends in the narrow-web print sector, focusing especially on the label industry.  He pointed out that geopolitical and economic uncertainty are key factors currently influencing the activities of many entrepreneurs and consumers.  “To be honest, in today’s market conditions it is very hard to predict the future, even within a very short time perspective,” he said.  “We have experienced very stormy years recently and there are no clear indications that the situation will get better any time soon.”

Taking these conditions into account, it is crucial for companies to be flexible and agile, so they can respond quickly.  Mark Andy meets these market trends by offering presses and manufacturing lines that allow label converters to cope with the many challenges they face with changing market trends.  These include decreasing run lengths and smaller orders, shorter delivery times, the growing importance of e-commerce, VDP and versioning, as well as technology aspects like the growing interest in linerless, peel-off, and RFID labels.  “We’re watching all these trends very closely and analysing the situation with our customers.  This allows us to prepare and develop the new technology for investment projects.”

Mark Andy’s student guests saw working demonstrations on three printing presses installed at the company’s Technology Centre.  These included the newly introduced Pro Series, and Evolution Series E5 flexo lines, as well as the hybrid Digital Series HD.  The same label designs were printed on each press, allowing for comparisons of the finished labels produced by different processes.  The university students were invited to set up the presses by themselves including make-ready and press start-up.  They were supervised and supported by print specialists and service technicians from Mark Andy Europe.

“We were very impressed with the interest shown by all the students who took part, especially their involvement in workshop.  They were very active, asking many detailed questions and were keen to set up presses and start new print jobs.  For both events we prepared and printed occasional labels that showed all the participants, which proved a fun and much appreciated souvenir.  We hope they all have good memories of their visit to Mark Andy and that meeting our specialists and seeing and using our technology will provide them with a solid background to their learning process.  We believe that meetings like these provide encouragement and make them keen to spend their future in printing industry,” Lena Chmielewska-Bontron concludes.

By: Dynamic Systems Inc

Zebra Technologies has announced a new label purchase requirement.  They will no longer be accepting orders for individual rolls stock labels but will be selling labels by the case only.  (The policy for custom labels remains the same.)

The number of rolls per case varies by the size of the label, so check with Jaime to determine a minimum quantity for your specific label.

The new policy will take effect June 28th.

By: Maxcess

Oak Brook, IL USA – Maxcess, a global leader in providing innovative, automated web handling solutions, is pleased to announce its participation in this year’s DRUPA, the international trade fair for the printing, packaging, and graphics industries. The show will take place from May 28th to June 7th in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Maxcess will display its wide portfolio of state-of-the-art automated products and solutions for better, faster, and smarter web handling solutions. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the latest technologies and innovations in web guiding, tension control, vision inspection, performance rolls, slitting, winding, die cutting, and much more.

Maxcess’s product highlights at DRUPA 2024 include:

• Guiding Systems: Our high-precision web guiding systems provide a reliable solution for maintaining precise web alignment for optimal converting results. The new Fife SmartDrive Actuator and GuideLine Digital Sensor will be demonstrated in the booth.
• Tension Control: With our advanced MAGPOWR and Tidland tension control solutions, machine and press operators can effectively monitor and control web tension to ensure consistent material handling to reduce waste and scrap.
• Vision Inspection Systems: Our Maxcess VisionMax Vision System offers 100% Print and Surface Inspection to optimize productivity, minimize return risks and reduce waste.
• Slitting Solutions: The new Tidland SmartSlit, RD AutoScore, and Control Series Class 1 Electric Knifeholders will be featured to optimize automated slitting performance.
• Performance and Precision Rolls:  From Componex WINertia Idler Rolls to WEBEX Performance Rolls to thousands of roll covering formulas, our rolls are engineered to make presses and converting lines run better, faster, and smarter.

Customers and interested parties are invited to visit Maxcess’s booth, located at Hall 12, Stand D41, at DRUPA 2024 to learn more about our products and solutions and engage with our experts.

“DRUPA is an important platform for us to showcase our latest innovations and technologies to an international audience of professionals from the printing and packaging industry,” said Alexander Haid, Vice President, and General Manager Europe at Maxcess. “We look forward to meeting with customers and prospects to understand their challenges and provide tailored solutions to optimize their production processes and enhance their competitiveness.”

Visit our website at www.maxcessintl.com for more information about Maxcess and our products.

By: Asahi Photoproducts, an Asahi Kasei Company

German site has benefitted from installation of CrystalCleanConnect – an automated platemaking system developed by Asahi Photoproducts, ESKO, and Kongsberg. Visitors to Asahi Photoproducts’ drupa stand will be able to learn more about this breakthrough solution.

Tokyo, Japan & Brussels, Belgium, May 16, 2024. Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, today reported that All4Labels’ site near Hamburg, Germany, has seen a significant boost to its productivity since installing the CrystalCleanConnect automated platemaking system developed by Asahi Photoproducts, ESKO, and Kongsberg.

Half a year ago the German label converter installed the system to replace a manual platemaking process which resulted in ‘errors and scheduling problems,’ according to Mirco Wilke, head of prepress, flexo printing, at All4Labels Hamburg.

“Hamburg is one of the main printing facilities in the All4Labels Group,’”explains Wilke. “At the time of the installation, the focus of the prepress department was on flexibility in production and high output through all our different presses. But it was a very manual process which had some drawbacks and restricted future development. We had no automation or connectivity to our workflow systems. It was hard work for the operators to handle all the different machines. It was stressful for them and could result in errors or scheduling problems.

“CrystalCleanConnect had answers to all these problems. We could connect to our workflow systems, automate the whole process, and minimise the operator’s hands-on work.”

Collaboration

The system is the result of two years of joint development between flexo photopolymer plate pioneer Asahi Photoproducts, integrated software and hardware specialist ESKO, and Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, and was prompted by All4Labels Hamburg’s desire to produce plates during a night shift with minimal operator input and consistent quality. 

CrystalCleanConnect fully automates the entire platemaking process, from imaging and exposure through to plate cutting, reducing the number of steps in the flexo platemaking process from 12 to just one. It delivers a 90% reduction in dedicated operator time, an average 25% increase in press OEE, and reduces ink usage by 20% .

“A standard platemaking machine with two operators can normally produce 24 plates in an eight-hour shift,” says Dieter Niederstadt, technical marketing manager at Asahi Photoproducts. “With CrystalCleanConnect, the total operator time of just one person is one hour. Everything is automated, from the laser imaging to the plate cutting, which wasn’t possible in the past. Additionally, the machine uses water-washable plates – which are certified as carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust – to allow for a solvent-free, more environmentally sustainable production.

“Standardisation is another key benefit. With different operators working different shifts, inevitably you will have different plate qualities. But if you have an automated process, then everything is standardised – every day, every month, every year – which is a huge benefit to the printer.”

According to Pascal Thomas, director of ESKO’s flexo business, CrystalCleanConnect is particularly suited to larger operations running multiple shifts. “It is a system that works well in a 24-hour operation; for example, it can be run during a night shift by a press operator who makes a few plates and then goes back to printing. Because it’s fully automatic, you don’t need much training to operate it. It’s plug and play.”

Flexibility

Mirco Wilke cites flexibility and quality as the key demands from All4Labels Hamburg’s customers – requirements that CrystalCleanConnect helps the company to deliver. “As print runs become shorter, we must always be flexible in our print production and time to market. Quality is also crucial. We have to be faster; we have to be sustainable; we have to automate as much as possible and connect with our customers in all kinds of processes and workflows.

“When we invest in new technology, we always look at the connectivity to our automation systems and workflows, and at the productivity of the machine. And of course, at the price – it must be a sustainable product for our customers and for us.”

All4Labels Hamburg was producing plates on the new system after just a couple of weeks of training. “The process was straightforward,” says Wilke. “The fact that CrystalCleanConnect allows us to put our print files directly from prepress into a whole connected system, reduce waste, reduce operator input, and automate the whole platemaking process, are huge advantages.”

“Sustainability has been at the heart of our business since we started in 1973,” says Asahi Photoproducts’ Dieter Niederstadt. “We have always used solvent-free technology. The quality is even higher than that of existing solvent-washed plates because our plates have a very low surface energy, which means that during printing all the ink is transferred to the substrate, which is a big advantage.”

A further development from Asahi, which can be linked to CrystalCleanConnect, will be unveiled at drupa. The AWP-LOOP^TM system is a closed-loop waste-water recycling solution based on Asahi Kasei microza^© Technology, which can recover and reuse 80 percent of the water used in the plate washing process.

A video of the interview is available here and also at the Asahi’s drupa booth.

For more information about products and services from Asahi Photoproducts that are in harmony with the environment, visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com