German packaging specialist CARTONIC Packaging Group (CPG) has recently invested in a ‘lo-chem’ system comprising Brillia HD LH-PLE plates and FLH-Z ‘ZAC’ processor, for long run commercial print applications that require enhanced scratch resistance. This marks the 1000th installation of this type of processor in Europe by Fujifilm.

CPG was interested in improving efficiency in its pre-press department at its Georgsmarienhütte production plant and reducing chemistry and water consumption. Reiner Hess, plant manager at CARTONIC Packaging Group (CPG), comments: “The positive results achieved by other companies prompted us to invest in a ‘ZAC’ processor. We were excited about the idea of reducing developer consumption and only having to replace the developer bath after three or four weeks, or after the imaging of 15,000m2 of plates."

The ‘ZAC’ processor works by intelligently controlling the amount of replenisher used in the plate-making process, providing a more stable plate production system and delivering consistent high quality, irrespective of changes to environmental conditions. This was particularly important for CPG as their printing is usually done using a 70 l/cm screen.

The high productivity offered by Fujifilm’s system, which can expose up to 24 large-format plates per hour, played an important role in the decision making process at CPG. Printshop manager, Christian Rumohr, adds: "All in all, we’ve roughly quadrupled our plate throughput.” In addition, the energy efficiency of the plate production process has also improved significantly, as it was possible to take the baking oven out of service.

Following the introduction of Fujifilm’s ‘lo-chem’ system, the pre-press department at CPG’s Georgsmarienhütte plant has also been able to improve automation. Manual tasks, such as the loading and unloading of plates, have been totally removed. In addition, CPG has established a cleaner working environment, as the chemicals used for processing plates in a ‘ZAC’ system are based on a non-silicate recipe which makes a much longer bath life possible without the increase in developer sludge and filter blockages. Reiner summarises: "Our plate production is now state-of-the-art in every respect.”

Hidetoshi Kino, area mar¬keting manager, Graphic Systems Division, Fujifilm Europe, comments: “Fujifilm launched its ‘ZAC’ technology in Europe ten years ago and it has been hugely successful since then. We are delighted we have achieved 1000 installations in Europe, and more than 6,000 worldwide, as it demonstrates the benefits our ‘lo-chem’ systems are bringing to customers and the improvements they can make to their plate production process.”