For flexographic
companies using solvent-based platemaking processes, the sharp rise in alcohol
prices we are seeing in several EU countries increases the cost of flexographic
plates by as much as 3 EUR per square meter. To get to this number, we did the
following calculations:
• In several
European markets, the cost of alcohol has doubled, from 1 to 2 EUR per litre.
• It typically
requires 15 litres of washout solvent per square meter of plate.
• 20% of that 15 litres
is typically alcohol used to remove the black mask layer, meaning an average
consumption of 3 litres of alcohol per square meter of plate material.
• The result is an
increase in cost of 3 EUR per square meter of plate material in the solvent
wash process.
At the same time, it
is true that if a flexographic platemaking operation has a recycling unit on
site, it can recover up to 85% of the solvents. This would still mean an extra
cost of 45 cents per square meter.
While this impact
may still be moderate for flexo plate maker, packaging printers who are
currently using solvent-based inking systems have a much bigger burden to
carry. Most large industrial ink suppliers currently implement a price
surcharge for solvent-based packaging inks around the globe. In addition, it
should be mentioned that they cannot guarantee supply if governments decide to
redirect products for medical purposes. Whereas flexographic printing can
operate with several different inking systems like UV, EB, water and solvent,
packaging suppliers such as rotogravure printers are faced with limited
choices.
The packaging
industry is a competitive market, and, especially in the light of the global
pandemic disruption, we see discussions taking place and starting to shape the
“new normal” in the times ahead. However, Asahi Photoproducts brought their
water-washable AWP plate technology to market 10 years ago. Thanks to these 10
years of experience, Asahi knows that AWP produces even better quality than
typical solvent-wash plates, while at the same time creating an operation that
is more in harmony with the environment.
A leading pioneer in
the development of photopolymer flexo printing plates, Asahi Photoproducts aims
at driving print forward in harmony with the environment.
