Toray to open plate plant in Europe

Toray Industries will open a new printing plate factory in the Czech Republic in 2014 to meet higher global demand for its pioneering waterless plates. 
 
The new production facility will meet the needs of printers across Europe and the Middle East, and include coating and converting capabilities.  Currently, Toray’s plate manufacturing is undertaken in Japan.
 
‘Europe is a priority for expanding our plate production because of the growing interest in waterless printing, and the need to shorten supply routes,’ said Mr Matsumoto (pictured), general manager, Graphics Division, Japan.  ‘The decision to build the plant in the Czech Republic was made after some years of operating a plate converting facility adjacent to Toray’s textile plant in Prostějov.’
 
The move will improve Toray’s technical support to customers as well as reduce cost through simplified process flow and logistics.  Importantly, it will also reduce the adverse effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations.