Unlike rivals Agfa and Fuji, Kodak will not show a violet chemistry-free plate but instead will launch Electra XD, a new version of its biggest selling thermal plate, which was developed at its Leeds factory.
"XD stands for extreme durability," said Etienne van Damme, Kodak GCG vice president of marketing strategy and business development, pre-press solutions.
"It's capable of much longer run lengths into hundreds of thousands unbaked. Compared to the benchmark Electra Excel, it easily doubles or even trebles the run possible."
Improved chemical durability makes it suitable for some UV ink applications too.
In addition to durability, XD is also 20 to 25% faster than Excel, the current benchmark plate, promising to further speed up the latest generation of thermal platesetters. Development speed has also been improved to make sure processing can keep up with imaging.
Topping off the new plate's improved performance is higher resolution, with the capability to hold a 10micron FM dot – Excel was restricted to 20micron, precluding it from the very highest quality applications.
Van Damme said the firm is not ignoring processless or violet and has projects in the lab for a "simple processing" violet plate.
However, he said Kodak believed, due to its sensitivity to daylight, violet was inherently restricted for these applications and thermal remained a better option for chemistry-free CTP.
At Drupa, Kodak will show a technology demonstration of the next generation of Thermal Direct. The new plate is twice as fast as the current offering, making it as fast as current processed plates. It is expected to be commercially available next summer.
Have your say in the Printweek Poll
Related stories
Latest comments
"Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this Jo, and PrintWeek!
Please feel free to get in touch with the Howden Print Team to arrange your own Free of Charge Cyber Micro-Penetration Test to help..."
"I never quite understand the statements such as "achieved such a positive outcome for this well-established business".
The established business unfortunately failed and no longer exists, a..."
"Genuinely sorry to read this."
Up next...

Certification can help
Printers urged to check exposure to cyber crime

Held at Aston Martin Racing Technology Campus
Xerox highlights power of data at client event

Support for important local event
Fujifilm contributes to Operation Dynamo commemorations

Standout addition to press hall