Manor Creative switches to processless plate in environmental push

Manor Creative has switched to Fujifilm's processless Brillia HD PRO-T plate in a bid to cut chemistry costs by 5,000 per year and significantly reduce its water usage.

The Sussex-based printer anticipates the new plate set-up, which will run on Komori B1 and B2 presses, will help the company in its push for the ISO 14001 environmental standard.

In addition to reducing its chemistry costs, the 39-staff printer expects it will cut 250,000 litres of water from its operation over a 12-month period.

Chief executive Graham Brownett said: "We trialled the plate and found it to be just what it said on the tin."

He added: "Add to this the fact that we would no longer have to house a processor or spend around 350 hours every year maintaining it and you can see why PRO-T was the choice for us."

The move to processless plates ties in with the company's environmental stance, according to Brownett, who anticipates both FSC and PEFC certification in the coming weeks.

"In addition to FSC and PEFC, we're hoping to achieve the ISO 14001 standard by early next year. It's the right thing to do," he said.

Manor Creative, which changed hands last year under a management buyout led by Brownett, serves a variety of clients including those in local and central government departments.