GRAPH EXPO & CONVERTING EXPO 2004 PREPRESS & PREMEDIA -- Exhib

As for processless plate technology, there were no major updates to any of the previously reported (August 2004 issue of Printing Impressions, page 24) development efforts.

Agfa was able to finalize its acquisition of Lastra just prior to Graph Expo, but it was status quo at the show in terms of the companies having separate booths and plans for the plate product lines. Agfa continues to emphasize that its chemistry-free Azura plate (based on ThermoFuse technology) is commercially available, with Kirkwood Printing of Wilmington, MA, being an early adopter. At Graph Expo, the company also pointed out that its new Acento four-up, thermal platesetter is now shipping in North America.