The decrease from €411m over the same period in 2007 contributed to an 8.1% fall across the group as a whole where total sales fell to €777m from €845m.

However, Roberts said he is expecting results later in the year within the graphics division to offer a more positive showing once orders made at Drupa are taken into account.

"We took orders in excess of €100m at Drupa and £10m of that figure came from orders going to the UK market.

"These orders will be represented in our third and fourth quarter results so I anticipate a stronger second-half of the year."

The €100m-plus worth of orders at the recent trade show included deals for more than 100 Anapurna wide-format machines, as well as orders for its Avalon platesetter range.

Roberts said: "From a UK commercial point of view, it's been a good six months in general. Our consumables business is up 10% but overall, it's a mixed field with some good results and some not so strong."

Agfa's net financial debt was recorded at €737m, compared to €809m in the second quarter of 2007.

"On balance, our results have been reasonable so now we are looking forward," said Roberts.