The plates and plate processors market has been a-buzz with activity over the past 12 months, with printers increasingly choosing chemistry-free products, and some exciting developments in laser technology.

As a result of this surge in interest, Mike Loose, plate product manager at Agfa Graphics, says that sales for chemistry-free plates have doubled over the past year. While the technology costs more, the savings in chemistry means printers pay less in the long run, largely because chemistry is "10% of extra costs so it's about reducing those kind of costs", according to Loose.

With chemistry-free plates the coating is either ablated and washed off with water or gum, or a solution is used to rinse and finish the plate after imaging. Process-free plates develop on the press by reacting with fountain chemistry and ink at the start of the print run.

But the terms ‘chemistry-free' and ‘processless' have been called into question as some still require the use of chemicals. As Fujifilm technical support manager Sean Lane says: "For any chemical being used you need to supply a health and safety data sheet."

In an attempt to clarify the situation, Fuji decided to change the classification of some of its plates two months ago from ‘chemistry-free' to ‘low chemistry'.

‘Miracle' plates
Meanwhile, JP Imaging has developed what it calls ‘miracle plate' technology that should eliminate the need for plate coating. The process uses ultra-fast laser pulsing to temporarily hydrophilise a blank aluminium plate.

But the technology's ability to do long runs, plus its potentially expensive laser, has been questioned by some industry members. "I'm not sure if the market is ready to accept new platesetters and plates for a new plate technology, which requires another type of laser. It all depends whether the platesetter manufacturers get behind it or not," says Lane.

A more imminent threat is that posed by Chinese plate manufacturers. While Chinese plates are widely used in Asia they have yet to take off in the UK, but Xingraphics' recent defence against Agfa's lawsuit could pave the way for a Chinese invasion. "The plates need to use quality aluminium and demonstrate technical expertise on press, complete with support," says Screen UK managing director Brian Filler. "If these factors are in place, I can't see why Chinese plates should not become popular in the UK."

WHAT'S NEW IN PLATES & PLATE PROCESSORS
?    Last month, Chinese plate manufacturer Chengdu Xingraphics claimed victory in a landmark patent infringement lawsuit brought by Agfa-Gevaert
?    Also in July, Fujifilm Europe announced the commercial availability of its high-speed thermal plate for newspaper applications, the Brillia LH-NN2. In June the firm announced the availability of its Brillia HD Pro-V and Brillia HD Pro-VN low-chemistry violet CTP plates. This followed Fuji’s decision to drop the ‘chemistry-free’ tag from its Pro-V, Pro-VB, and LH-JPE plates, and its FLH-Z ‘ZAC’ processor
?    In July, JP Imaging, claimed to have developed a method of laser exposure that will allow blank aluminium plates to be re-imaged multiple times
?    In April, Agfa launched a conventional plate range designed specifically for Lüscher’s Xpose! UV platesetter, launched two years ago
? Presstek intends to unveil its next-generation plate technology at this year’s Print 09 in September