Fujifilm expands Apeos range for European market
Fujifilm has announced the release of three new devices to its Apeos range of MFPs, which will be available immediately in the UK, Italy, France, and Spain
Kodak has announced the large-scale roll out of its SONORA Ultra plates, which are now in full-scale production for the European market
Kodak has announced the large-scale roll out of its KODAK SONORA Ultra process free plates, the latest update in the SONORA line.
The SONORA Ultra Plates, which were first introduced at drupa 2024, are now in full-scale production following a successful test program in Europe.
The plates boast significant performance improvements over previous releases, according to Kodak. Reported features of the KODAK SONORA Ultra include stronger image contrast, white light exposure tolerance, and plate image stability than competitive products.
The plates will be produced in Osterode, Germany, aiming to offer European customers of Kodak faster, more sustainable, and more reliable deliveries.
Jim Continenza, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Kodak, says: “Kodak is dedicated to providing our customers with the best products and solutions, including leading-edge process free technology.
“We are excited to make our newest SONORA Ultra Plates widely available in Europe. The unmatched performance of SONORA Ultra Plates will set a new benchmark for the performance of process-free plates and help our customers further improve their operations.”
2024 marked Kodak’s 20th anniversary as both the first and longest-running manufacturer of process-free printing plates in the world. After initial beta testing in 2004, Kodak launched its first commercially available process-free plate, the KODAK THERMAL DIRECT non process plate, in 2005. It was succeeded in 2012 by the KODAK SONORA XP, the first generation of SONORA Plates.
This year, Kodak also celebrates the 30th anniversary of its thermal plate imaging technology, the first of its kind. Kodak manufactured and first introduced thermal plate imaging at drupa 1995, and the company Creo, which was acquired by Kodak in 2005, developed the first thermal platesetter.
According to Kodak, the unveiling of the technology was the starting point for the transformation of the computer-to-plate (CTP) market towards thermal imaging.
