Neuefeind invests in thermal printing

The main driver behind the installation is an increasing demand for flexibility in plate production, coupled with environmental compatibility without sacrificing on quality.

‘VOC restrictions and the ongoing trend towards sustainability in the printing industry are currently providing a thrust for the thermal plate processing market outside the label industry, particularly in the flexible packaging and corrugated board markets,’ said Friedrich von Rechteren, global commercial vice president of Flint Group Flexographic. 

Thermal plate processing eliminates the need for solvents, as the system does not require any hazardous substances. The main system components are the processor, flexographic thermal printing plates, and developer rolls, which are precisely coordinated with each other. 

The plates are optimized to melt using a specific wavelength of the IR preheating system and work with the non-woven material to remove excess polymer without leaving any impression on the finished plate surface. 

‘Our aim is to always be one step ahead of the game, and before we decide on investing in new innovations, we estimate the value this investment could bring to our customers, from a strategic then monetary perspective’, added Dieter Neuefeind, managing director at Neuefeind.