Asahi Kasei Corporation, and its subsidiary Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, today announced it has been recognized on 3 November with the prestigious CI Flexo Tech Technical Innovation Award for its AFPTM-R reduced solvent flexographic plates, one of three companies to achieve this significant honor, granted by a well-respected panel of 55 judges.

Asahi Kasei has been on a path to delivering increasingly more sustainable flexographic solutions for nearly half a century.These plates are part of its Roadmap to Solvent ZERO, an initiative designed to help its customers achieve greater sustainability in their flexographic operations. While the majority of printers and repro houses still use solvent wash plates, Asahi believes that introducing this reduced solvent plate into their operations will not only help them immediately reduce solvent usage and the environmental impact related to solvent, but will also set them on a path to ultimately achieving Solvent ZERO with the adoption of water-washable plates, such as our AWPTM-DEW CleanPrint Carbon Neutral plates. In addition to their environmental benefits, Asahi’s AFPTM-R reduced solvent plantes improve prepress and press productivity; and users will experience faster plate washout speed and a drastic reduction in drying time, resulting in faster time to press with no compromise in quality.

The AFPTM-R plates, featuring unique polymer technology, are in use at Sanli, one of China’s large trade shops. As a result, Sanli is enjoying significant benefits, including excellent print quality, fast plate processing speed and reduced solvent usage.

The CI Flexo Tech Technical Innovation Award was also granted to Xi'an Aerospace Huayang Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd. For its high-efficiency and high-quality flexo color room drying oven; and to Shanghai Miaohua Software Co., Ltd. For its velvet dots and intelligent flexo printing solution.

In considering the award submissions, 55 highly qualified judges gathered on site, with moderation by Ms. Shang Yumei, Secretary General of the Ink Branch of China Daily Chemical Industry Association. Asahi Kasei is proud of this achievement, which is part of its ongoing sustainability initiatives, including a roadmap to Solvent ZERO for flexographic printers and trade shops.