Fujifilm : installs its 1000th FLH-Z‘ZAC’CTP plate processor in Europe.

October 22, 2014

German packaging specialist CARTONIC Packaging Group (CPG) has recently invested in Fujifilm LH-PLE plates and FLH-Z 'ZAC' processor, for long run commercial print applications that require enhanced scratch resistance. This marks the 1000th installation of this type of processor in Europe by Fujifilm.

CPG was interested in improving efficiency in its pre-press department at its Georgsmarienhütte production plant and reducing chemistry and water consumption. Reiner Hess, plant manager at CARTONIC Packaging Group (CPG), comments: "The positive results achieved by other companies prompted us to invest in a 'ZAC' processor. We were excited about the idea of reducing developer consumption and only having to replace the developer bath after three or four weeks, or after the imaging of 15,000m2 of plates."

The 'ZAC' processor works by intelligently controlling the amount of replenisher used in the plate-making process, providing a more stable plate production system and delivering consistent high quality, irrespective of changes to environmental conditions. This was particularly important for CPG as their printing is usually done using a 70 l/cm screen.

The high productivity offered by Fujifilm's system, which can expose up to 24 large-format plates per hour, played an important role in the decision making process at CPG. Printshop manager, Christian Rumohr, adds: "All in all, we've roughly quadrupled our plate throughput." In addition, the energy efficiency of the plate production process has also improved significantly, as it was possible to take the baking oven out of service.

Following the introduction of Fujifilm's system, the pre-press department at CPG's Georgsmarienhütte plant has also been able to improve automation. Manual tasks, such as the loading and unloading of plates, have been totally removed. In addition, CPG has established a cleaner working environment, as the chemicals used for processing plates in a 'ZAC' system are based on a non-silicate recipe which makes a much longer bath life possible without the increase in developer sludge and filter blockages. Reiner summarises: "Our plate production is now state-of-the-art in every respect."

Hidetoshi Kino, area marketing manager, Graphic Systems Division, Fujifilm Europe, comments: "Fujifilm launched its 'ZAC' technology in Europe ten years ago and it has been hugely successful since then. We are delighted we have achieved 1000 installations in Europe, and more than 6,000 worldwide, as it demonstrates the benefits our 'lo-chem' systems are bringing to customers and the improvements they can make to their plate production process."

FUJIFILM Corporation is one of the major operating companies of FUJIFILM Holdings. Since its founding in 1934, the company has built up a wealth of advanced technologies in the field of photo imaging, and in line with its efforts to become a comprehensive healthcare company, Fujifilm is now applying these technologies to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the Medical and Life Science fields. Fujifilm is also expanding growth in the highly functional materials business, including flat panel display materials, and in the graphic systems and optical devices businesses.

Fujifilm Graphic Systems is a stable, long term partner focussed on delivering high quality, technically advanced print solutions that help printers develop competitive advantage and grow their businesses. The company's financial stability and unprecedented investment in R&D enable it to develop proprietary technologies for best-in-class printing. These include pre-press and pressroom solutions for offset, wide-format and digital print, as well as workflow software for print production management. Fujifilm is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its products and operations, proactively working to preserve the environment, and strives to educate printers about environmental best practice.