News

How AFP™-REVO HF Helps MPH Deliver Faster Turnaround Without Compromising Print Quality

Asahi Kasei — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:46:06 GMT

Customer Success Story: Well-established UK repro house enhances its premium solvent-wash plate production with AFP™-REVO HF, achieving significantly shorter drying times, expected solvent savings and greater production flexibility

Brussels, Belgium – 30 July 2026 – Every flexographic repro house faces similar challenges: customers expect premium print quality, but they also expect shorter lead times, greater flexibility and consistent delivery. Meeting these expectations requires continuous investment, not only in equipment, but also in technologies that improve everyday production.

For UK-based MPH Ltd., one of the country’s longest-standing independent flexographic pre-press specialists with more than four decades of experience, AFP™-REVO HF has become an important part of that strategy. The next-generation solvent-wash flexographic plate from Asahi Photoproducts helps streamline plate production while maintaining the high print standards customers expect.

With more than four decades of experience, MPH has built its reputation on delivering high-quality flexographic plates, rotary screen cylinders and reprographics services to customers across the UK and Ireland, ranging from independent label printers to multinational packaging groups. In recent years, the company has invested more than £750,000 in modernising its production environment, including new software and servers, plate developers, an additional CDI imager and LED exposure technology.

Meeting today’s production challenges

For MPH, excellent print quality had never been the challenge. The company successfully supplied premium solvent-wash flexographic plates for many years. The real objective was to improve production efficiency and turnaround times without sacrificing that quality.

“We’ve been supplying premium solvent-processed plates successfully for years and the print quality was never really the issue,” explains Craig Alderson, Director of MPH Ltd. “But we were feeling the squeeze from a few directions at once – energy costs, solvent usage and the pressure to turn jobs around faster. It made us take a harder look at whether there was a better way of doing things.”

MPH also used thermal plate processing for urgent jobs where speed was the decisive factor. While effective in certain situations, the company wanted a long-term solution that could combine the quality of a premium solvent-wash plate with shorter turnaround times and a more flexible production workflow.

Faster drying, greater production flexibility

After evaluating different options, MPH introduced Asahi´s AFP™-REVO HF into its premium product portfolio. The most significant confirmed improvement has been the reduction in drying time. While washout speed has improved by 20% with MPH’s existing workflow, the considerably shorter drying cycle has reduced overall energy costs and processing time. Compared with conventional solvent plate production, drying time has been reduced from approximately 120 minutes to around 60 minutes. This supports more flexible scheduling and gives MPH greater capacity to respond to urgent customer requirements. In addition, MPH is seeing AFP™-REVO HF to support solvent savings of at least 20% based on the faster developing process. The evaluation is still ongoing, as MPH does not exclusively process AFP™-REVO HF plates.

The shorter drying cycle also reduces MPH’s dependence on thermal plate production for rush jobs. AFP™-REVO HF can now take on more of that fast-turnaround work while still delivering the print performance expected from a solvent-wash flexographic plate.

Results at a glance

Drying time reduced from approximately 120 to 60 minutes
Solvent savings of at least 20%, subject to ongoing evaluation
Plate washout speed improvement
Greater scheduling flexibility
Reduced dependence on thermal plate production
Premium print quality maintained

A strong fit for future-ready pre-press

Beyond faster production, AFP™-REVO HF supports MPH’s wider strategy of building a more efficient, resilient and future-ready pre-press operation.

The company also sees strong potential in Asahi’s CleanPrint technology. While MPH is still building practical experience with this feature, the ability to support cleaner plate performance over longer print runs is regarded as a meaningful benefit for printers seeking fewer cleaning interruptions and more stable press performance. For Alderson, AFP™-REVO HF therefore fits naturally into MPH’s wider investment strategy.

“AFP™-REVO HF has slotted in well alongside the investments we’ve already made in imaging and LED exposure. It is a very strong product and a great fit for where we’re trying to take the business – better quality, faster service and more efficient production,” says Craig Alderson, Director, MPH Ltd.

For Dieter Niederstadt, Technical Marketing Manager at Asahi Photoproducts Europe, MPH’s experience reflects a broader shift in flexographic pre-press, where productivity and process flexibility are becoming just as important as print quality.

According to Dieter Niederstadt, Technical Marketing Manager at Asahi Photoproducts Europe, MPH’s experience clearly demonstrates broader advantages for plate makers: reduced production costs, faster processing, lower washout solvent consumption, more efficient workflows, and consistently delivering the highest print quality for printers.

“Productivity has become one of the most important competitive factors in flexographic pre-press. Technologies that reduce processing time while maintaining premium print quality help repro houses respond more quickly to changing customer demands. AFP™-REVO HF was developed to support exactly this balance: premium solvent-wash plate performance combined with a faster, more productive workflow and the potential to reduce solvent consumption,” he comments.

The collaboration between MPH and Asahi Photoproducts spans almost three decades and continues to evolve through close technical cooperation. Looking ahead, both companies see further opportunities to demonstrate the capabilities of AFP™-REVO HF through customer trials, application development and technical collaboration.

As customer expectations continue to evolve, success in flexographic pre-press will increasingly depend on technologies that combine productivity, consistency, responsible solvent use and premium print quality. For MPH, AFP™-REVO HF has become another important step on that journey.

For further information about Asahi Photoproducts and its sustainable flexographic solutions, please contact hello@asahi-photoproducts.com or visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

—ENDS—

Asahi Photoproducts receives FIA UK Gold Award for AWP-LOOP™ water recycling technology

Asahi Kasei — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Operational Environmental & Sustainability Gold Award 2026 recognizes Asahi’s contribution to more resource-efficient flexographic platemaking

Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 24 June 2026

Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, has received the FIA UK Operational Environmental & Sustainability Gold Award 2026 for AWP-LOOP™, Asahi’s water recycling system for flexographic plate processing, registered for the award as “Flexo Plate Waste Water Recycling System”.

The award was presented at the FIA UK Awards Dinner in Liverpool and accepted on behalf of Asahi Photoproducts by Karl Davison, Sales Manager UK. It recognizes Asahi’s continued commitment to developing more resource-efficient flexographic platemaking solutions and supports the company’s long-term vision of leading the road to a Solvent ZERO flexographic platemaking environment.

As part of the Asahi AWP™ Ecosystem, AWP-LOOP™ helps recover and reuse process water during flexographic plate processing. The technology uses Asahi Kasei’s Microza™ membrane filtration technology and can recycle 70–90% of wastewater generated during the platemaking process, helping printers reduce wastewater and detergent consumption while maintaining a reliable production process.

According to the award presentation, Asahi Photoproducts was recognized for demonstrating how wastewater recycling technology can help flexographic printers reduce resource consumption in plate processing while supporting reliable, production-ready workflows.

“We are honored to receive this Gold Award from FIA UK,” said Dr. Dieter Niederstadt, Technical Marketing Manager at Asahi Photoproducts. “For Asahi, sustainable innovation means developing technologies that can make a measurable difference in day-to-day flexographic production. AWP-LOOP™ supports printers in reducing resource consumption in plate processing while maintaining the stability, quality and productivity they need in industrial production environments.”

AWP-LOOP™ forms part of Asahi’s wider Solvent ZERO roadmap, which focuses on reducing solvent dependency and supporting the transition toward water-wash plate processing technologies. By combining plate, processor and water recycling technologies within the AWP™ Ecosystem, Asahi aims to help flexographic printers improve workflow efficiency, support cost savings and reduce the environmental impact associated with platemaking.

Karl Davison, Sales Manager UK at Asahi Photoproducts, who accepted the award on behalf of Asahi at the FIA UK Awards Dinner, added: “It was a great honor to receive this recognition on behalf of the Asahi team. The award highlights the relevance of practical technologies that help printers make their platemaking operations more efficient and resource-conscious.”

The FIA UK Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the flexographic industry. With the Operational Environmental & Sustainability Gold Award 2026, Asahi Photoproducts has been recognized for a technology that reflects the growing importance of practical, production-ready solutions for more resource-efficient flexographic platemaking workflows.

—ENDS—

For further information about Asahi Photoproducts and its sustainable flexographic solutions, please contact hello@asahi-photoproducts.com or visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

About Asahi Photoproducts

Founded in 1973, Asahi Photoproducts is a subsidiary of the Asahi Kasei Corporation, established in Japan in 1922. Asahi Photoproducts is a pioneer in the development of photopolymer flexo printing plates, committed to advancing flexographic printing through high-quality solutions and cutting-edge technologies.

Our flexo plates are engineered to deliver outstanding print quality while reducing waste in production and enabling faster press speeds for higher overall efficiency. These advancements are driven by our long-term sustainability strategy, focused on reducing solvent use and promoting a complete switch to water-wash technology.

We believe that sustainable innovation is key to the future of print – and we support our customers in being trailblazers in achieving both environmental and production goals.

More information is available at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

Contact
Dr. Dieter Niederstadt
Asahi Photoproducts Europe n.v./s.a.
dieter.niederstadt@asahi-photoproducts.com
+49(0)2301 946743

Asahi Photoproducts Receives EcoVadis Silver Medal for Its Flexographic Plate Manufacturing Operations in Japan

Asahi Kasei — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

First EcoVadis Silver Medal reflects strong focus on responsible manufacturing and continuous sustainability initiatives

Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 16 June 2026

Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in sustainable flexographic plate development, today announced that its flexographic plate manufacturing site in Japan has been awarded an EcoVadis Silver Medal following the company’s first EcoVadis sustainability assessment, completed in April 2026. The EcoVadis Silver Medal reflects Asahi Photoproducts’ broader sustainability approach, including initiatives focused on reducing environmental impact, improving operational efficiency and advancing more sustainable flexographic manufacturing technologies. The company has also continued to strengthen sustainability coordination and governance activities across its operations as part of broader group-wide initiatives.

EcoVadis is a globally recognized sustainability assessment platform that evaluates companies across a range of criteria including environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

Commenting on the achievement, Masaki Matsumoto, Managing Director, Asahi Photoproducts, emphasized the importance of continuous improvement throughout the organization: “Achieving an EcoVadis Silver Medal in our first participation is an important milestone for our organization. It reflects the strong efforts of our teams to further strengthen responsible manufacturing practices across our operations and supports our long-term vision of Leading the Way to Solvent ZERO. We see this result not as an endpoint, but as part of an ongoing journey of continuous improvement.” The company’s long-term sustainability direction includes reducing solvent use, improving resource efficiency and supporting the transition toward water-wash flexographic platemaking technologies.

Asahi Photoproducts plans to further build on this progress through future EcoVadis submissions and broader operational and environmental initiatives across the organization.

More information regarding the EcoVadis recognition methodology and validity is available via Asahi Photoproducts’ EcoVadis Recognition Page:

Ecovadis Silver Medal | ASAHI KASEI CORP（PHOTOPRODUCTS PLANT SITE）

For further information about Asahi Photoproducts and its sustainable flexographic solutions, please contact hello@asahi-photoproducts.com or visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

Why PCR Packaging No Longer Has to Mean Compromised Print Quality

Asahi Kasei — Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Insights from the Next-Generation Sustainable Flexo Symposium in May 2026

PCR-based flexible packaging materials with high recycled content have been considered difficult substrates for high-quality print reproduction. Especially in applications using more than 90% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, visible haze and material inconsistencies often limited the achievable print quality.

As a result, many of these materials have traditionally been used for relatively simple applications such as courier envelopes, transport packaging or duty-free bags with basic solid areas and line graphics rather than demanding image-driven designs.

Print results on transparent PCR substrate presented during the symposium.

With the introduction of the PPWR, this challenge will move much more into the center of attention, as the use of 30% recycled content in packaging placed on the market is expected to become mandatory from 2030 onwards, with increasing recycled content targets in the years ahead.

During the recent Next-Generation Sustainable Flexo Symposium, print results on transparent PCR material demonstrated how rapidly flexographic printing technology is evolving. Despite the visible haziness of the substrate itself, which contained more than 90% PE PCR, the printed image quality achieved during the tests showed that high-quality graphics on challenging PCR films may now be more achievable than many in the industry previously expected.

Close-up of the hazy PCR substrate surface.

The results highlighted how advances in plate technology, screening, press stability and workflow optimisation can help overcome limitations that were historically associated with recycled flexible packaging materials.

Brand owners increasingly want packaging that supports both sustainability targets and strong visual brand presentation. However, this has often created a difficult compromise: higher recycled content can support environmental goals, but may negatively affect the appearance of the final printed packaging.

Close-up detail demonstrating image sharpness and tonal reproduction.

The ability to achieve improved print quality on highly recycled substrates could help expand the use of PCR materials into new packaging segments.

Instead of being limited mainly to simple industrial or transport applications, high-PCR content flexible packaging may increasingly become viable for more demanding consumer packaging designs that require stronger visual impact and more detailed graphics.

Technical overview of print configurations presented during the symposium.

One of the key takeaways from the symposium was that these developments are not driven by a single technology alone.

Progress depends on close collaboration across the entire flexographic ecosystem, including plate technology, screening and imaging, inks, tapes, substrates, press technology and process automation.

The latest print results shown during the symposium suggest that sustainable packaging no longer has to automatically mean compromised print quality, and that flexo continues to play an important role in enabling this transition.

Industry partners and attendees during the Next-Generation Sustainable Flexo Symposium.

Asahi Kasei Highlights REVO SERIES and Brings AWP™-CLFQ to the US Market at Forum Infoflex 2026

Asahi Kasei — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Focus on high-definition flexo, pixel-precise imaging and next-generation plate performance

Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 7 April 2026

Asahi Kasei, the parent company of Asahi Photoproducts, will highlight two distinct technology directions in flexographic platemaking at Forum Infoflex 2026, taking place April 26–29 at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the event, Asahi will focus on the REVO SERIES, designed to support more efficient and stable platemaking workflows, and on AWP™-CLFQ, which will be introduced to the US market for the first time and is engineered for high-definition imaging and consistent print performance.

With the REVO SERIES, Asahi continues to develop its established ecosystem approach to platemaking. Within this framework, the series is designed to improve overall process efficiency by enabling faster plate processing, reducing variability in production and supporting more stable, repeatable workflows. This reflects the increasing demand from converters for reliable, streamlined platemaking processes that can support consistent output across a wide range of applications. A

WP™-CLFQ has been developed for converters seeking higher print precision and more consistent print performance in flexographic applications. It is the first solventless plate certified for Esko Quartz imaging, supporting precise dot formation and stable imaging performance. The plate supports stable ink transfer, uniform ink laydown and high solid densities, while maintaining sharp detail reproduction and smooth tonal transitions. These characteristics make AWP™-CLFQ particularly suited for demanding label and flexible packaging applications where consistency and print definition are critical.

“The pressure on converters today is twofold: they need greater efficiency in platemaking, but they also require more predictable print performance on press,” said Ms. Kaoru Nozaki, General Manager EU / America Sales Dept., Asahi Photoproducts.

“With the REVO SERIES and AWP™-CLFQ, we are addressing both requirements with technologies that support more efficient workflows and high-definition print results.”

Visitors to Forum Infoflex 2026 can meet Asahi at Booth No. 725 to discuss application requirements and learn more about the company’s latest developments in flexographic plate technology.

—ENDS—

For further information about Asahi Photoproducts and its sustainable flexographic solutions, please contact hello@asahi-photoproducts.com or visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

About Asahi Photoproducts

We believe that sustainable innovation is key to the future of print – and we support our customers in being trailblazers in achieving both environmental and production goals.

More information is available at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

Contact
Dr. Dieter Niederstadt
Asahi Photoproducts Europe n.v./s.a.
dieter.niederstadt@asahi-photoproducts.com
+49(0)2301 946743

Sustainable Flexo Symposium 2026 Demonstrates Gravure-Level Print quality in Flexo on Recycled Substrates

Asahi Kasei — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Live production and Tech Talks highlight automation-driven plate-to-print workflows ahead of Interpack 2026

Brussels, Belgium / Tokyo, Japan – 20 February 2026

On May 5–6, 2026, the Sustainable Flexo Symposium will demonstrate—with live printing—how modern, automated CI flexographic printing delivers consistent, gravure-level results on recycled and mono-material substrates.

As Europe’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) accelerates the shift toward circular materials and higher recycled content, converters and brand owners are seeking production-ready solutions capable of ensuring stability and repeatability.

Hosted at Follmann’s Technology & Knowledge Centre in Minden, Germany, the symposium features live CI flexo production at Allstein in Herford using water-based inks. Taking place immediately ahead of Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, the two-half day English-language event brings together leading technology partners from across the flexo value chain to present a fully integrated, automation-driven workflow for sustainable flexible packaging.

Designed as a hands-on sustainable flexo symposium, the event focuses on real production jobs, measurable process stability and repeatable print results.

As packaging producers increasingly incorporate PCR content, thinner materials and mono-material designs, converters are facing increasing demands in process stability, colour consistency and print quality. The symposium presents CI flexography as a production-ready process capable of delivering stable, repeatable results on mechanically sensitive and recycled film structures traditionally associated with gravure printing.

Live demonstrations will include reverse and surface printing on transparent OPP, MDO-PE, PCR-based PE films and paper packaging materials. The workflow integrates water-wash plate technology (Solvent ZERO), water-based inks, precision anilox technology and automated plate-to-print processes designed to ensure repeatability and industrial reliability.

Complementing the live production demonstrations, the expert Tech Talks will focus on sustainable film structures (including PCR and mono-material designs), inspection and quality control for recyclates, and integrated automation workflows across the flexo ecosystem.

The program brings together leading suppliers across the flexo ecosystem—prepress, plates, inks, substrates, anilox, inspection and press automation—including Esko, Asahi Photoproducts, Follmann, Pamarco, PetroPlast, OCS, Tesa and Allstein.

By combining live production with cross-industry technical exchange, the international Sustainable Flexo Symposium provides a practical framework for how flexographic printing can support the transition toward regulation-aligned, circular flexible packaging production. The event is positioned to share knowledge between suppliers, converters and brand owners to prepare for a sustainable CI flexo value chain ahead of Interpack 2026.

Participation is free of charge upon confirmation. Registration and the detailed agenda are available via the official event page. Converters, brand owners and press representatives are invited to register in advance.

About Asahi Photoproducts

We believe that sustainable innovation is key to the future of print – and we support our customers in being trailblazers in achieving both environmental and production goals.

More information is available at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

Contact
Dr. Dieter Niederstadt
Asahi Photoproducts Europe n.v./s.a.
dieter.niederstadt@asahi-photoproducts.com
+49(0)2301 946743

Asahi Photoproducts Launches Esko Quartz-Certified AWP™-CLFQ Plate

Asahi Kasei — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Esko Quartz certified at AWP Days on October 27th, the new AWP™-CLFQ combines Quartz precision with CleanPrint productivity to deliver gravure-level quality in a solventless flexo plate.

Tokyo, Japan – November 4, 2025

Asahi Photoproducts today announced the official launch of its new AWP™-CLFQ water-wash plate. The certification handover by Esko took place on October 27th during AWP Days 2025 in Japan, officially confirming AWP™-CLFQ as the first solventless plate certified for Esko Quartz imaging. The new plate combines pixel-level precision with CleanPrint productivity and sustainability benefits to help converters achieve gravure-type quality in flexographic printing.

AWP™-CLFQ marks a milestone in high-end flexography. The plate is designed for Esko Quartz screening and is also compatible with Esko Crystal MCWSI workflows. Its certification confirms the ability of AWP™-CLFQ to hold Esko’s finest pixel structures on the plate, which merge into a single stable printed dot on press, delivering sharp highlights, smooth transitions to zero, and dense solids. All within the familiar AWP™ water-wash platemaking process with CleanPrint.

“AWP™-CLFQ gives converters a decisive reason to switch from gravure to flexo,” said Aki Kato, Senior General Manager of the Photoproducts Division. “By combining the precision of Esko Quartz with the productivity of Asahi’s CleanPrint, we deliver a level of quality and process consistency previously exclusive to gravure, now with a sustainable solventless workflow.”

Unveiling at the AWP Days in Japan

The new AWP™-CLFQ plate was unveiled and certified in front of Asahi’s partners and customers during the AWP Days 2025 in Japan, a technology event showcasing Asahi’s Solvent ZERO roadmap. Print samples were also previewed at Allstein’s Automation Open House earlier this month, where the plate impressed with high-density whites, strong solids and outstanding fades to zero on complex substrates. Following the certification, Asahi Photoproducts has initiated a controlled commercial roll-out of AWP™-CLFQ for quality-driven converters worldwide, supported by Esko and local Asahi distribution partners. Broader availability will follow as production capacity scales.

Technical highlights overview:

Plate type: AWP™-CLFQ – water-wash plate
Thickness: 1.14 mm available; 1.7 mm under development
Certification: Officially Esko Quartz certified (October 27^th, 2025)
Compatible screenings: Esko Quartz, Esko Crystal MCWSI and other stochastic screens.
Performance: Gravure-type quality: sharp highlight dots, smooth vignettes to zero, dense solids
Target applications: Flexible packaging; also strong in narrow web UV flexo
Productivity: CleanPrint technology reduces press stops and enhances OEE. It also applies to the latest ink developments in flexible packaging, including PU-resin-based solvent inks and water-based inks.

The AWP™-CLFQ plate is specifically engineered for flexible packaging and film substrates, where gravure printing has long been dominant. With its Quartz-driven pixel-precise dot formation and clean ink transfer, the new plate delivers exceptional print density and tonal range even on demanding films. This launch supports Asahi’s broader Solvent ZERO strategy — replacing solvent-based platemaking with sustainable, high-performance water-wash alternatives — with a primary focus on flexible packaging to replace rotogravure with flexo; the plate also performs strongly in narrow-web UV flexo printing. AWP™-CLFQ shows outstanding performance with the latest polyurethane (PU) solvent and water-based ink developments in the industry. The slightly stickier ink binder leaves no ink residues on the plate, thanks to Asahi’s legacy CleanPrint surface energy technology.

For further information about Asahi Photoproducts and its sustainable flexographic solutions, please contact hello@asahi-photoproducts.com or visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com

About Asahi Photoproducts

We believe that sustainable innovation is key to the future of print – and we support our customers in being trailblazers in achieving both environmental and production goals.

More information is available at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

Contact
Dr. Dieter Niederstadt
Asahi Photoproducts Europe n.v./s.a.
dieter.niederstadt@asahi-photoproducts.com
+49(0)2301 946743

Global Industry Leaders Experienced Asahi’s AWP™-REVO Ecosystem in Action at AWP Days 2025 in Japan

Asahi Kasei — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Customers and partners from the global flexographic community gathered at Asahi’s Fuji Plant and Tokyo headquarters to experience the new AWP™-REVO Ecosystem and its impressive print results, marking another milestone on Asahi’s journey toward Solvent ZERO.

Tokyo, Japan – October 28, 2025

Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in sustainable flexographic plate development and a subsidiary of the Asahi Kasei Corporation, successfully hosted AWP Days 2025 in Japan from October 24 to 27. The annual event brought together top executives from leading printing and packaging companies around the world.

Held at Asahi Kasei’s Fuji Plant and later at the company’s headquarters in Tokyo, the event served as an exclusive platform for participants to strengthen relationships, exchange market insights, and witness Asahi’s latest technological advancements in sustainable flexographic printing.

The AWP™-REVO Ecosystem Demonstration Took Center Stage

A highlight of AWP Days 2025 was the live demonstration of the AWP™-REVO Ecosystem, Asahi’s latest innovation designed to support a detergent-free, water-based platemaking process. Visitors had the opportunity to see the complete system in action, including the AWP™-REVO plate, the AWP™-REVO-2530AA Plate Processor, and the AWP-LOOP™ Petite water recycling unit.

During the factory tour, attendees observed how the solution enables fully water-washable plate processing and delivers exceptional print consistency while minimizing resource consumption. Print samples produced with the AWP™-REVO plates demonstrated remarkable registration accuracy, high solid densities, and reduced downtime thanks to Asahi’s CleanPrint technology.

A Platform for Knowledge, Exchange, and Collaboration

The four-day program combined technical sessions, partner visits, and networking activities designed to foster collaboration and inspiration. The event began with an opening seminar and guided tour at the Fuji Plant, followed by visits to partner facilities including Yoshimoto Printing Co., Ltd., where participants experienced the technology in a real production environment.

To strengthen personal connections, the agenda also featured informal networking experiences such as a Zen meditation session, a winery visit, and a Mount Fuji tour, allowing guests to experience Japanese culture and hospitality. The event concluded with a wrap-up session and farewell dinner at Asahi’s Tokyo headquarters.

As Aki Kato, Senior General Manager of Asahi Kasei Photoproducts Division, noted, the engagement and feedback from guests were invaluable: “It was a great pleasure to welcome our valued partners and customers from across the world to Japan. Seeing them experience the AWP™-REVO Ecosystem in action and discuss how it supports their sustainability and productivity goals was truly inspiring. Their feedback confirmed that we are on the right path toward a Solvent ZERO future, combining innovation, collaboration, and environmental responsibility.”

Strengthening the Path Toward Solvent ZERO

AWP Days 2025 once again demonstrated the value of bringing customers and partners together to share insights and witness real-world results. Following the event, Asahi will continue to build on the momentum of the AWP™ plate and AWP™-REVO Ecosystem, expanding its applications for plate technologies. The company remains dedicated to helping customers worldwide achieve higher quality and sustainability standards through close collaboration and continuous innovation.

About Asahi Photoproducts

We believe that sustainable innovation is key to the future of print – and we support our customers in being trailblazers in achieving both environmental and production goals.

More information is available at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

Contact
Dr. Dieter Niederstadt
Asahi Photoproducts Europe n.v./s.a.
dieter.niederstadt@asahi-photoproducts.com
+49(0)2301 946743

Flexographic Press Automation: Allstein Marks a Historic Milestone with Fully Automated Workflow Demonstration

Asahi Kasei — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Live demo sets a new benchmark in efficiency, workflow standardization and roto-gravure-level quality.

Herford, Germany – 8 October 2025

One day before the K-Show in Düsseldorf opened its doors, industry leaders and packaging print professionals gathered at Allstein’s headquarters in Herford to witness a world premiere: the live demonstration of the first fully automated flexographic workflow shown in public. The event brought together cutting-edge technologies from Allstein, Esko, Kongsberg PCS, and Asahi Photoproducts delivering a seamless end-to-end flexo production run. In the context of an ongoing shortage of skilled labor, the project reflects a broader industry trend: leveraging automation to reduce repetitive tasks and deploy human expertise to higher-value tasks. In Asia where gravure printing is widely used and highly automated, flexo is now catching up through end-to-end automation.

Flexographic Printing 5.0 Comes to Life – A Game-Changing Step Forward

Attendees witnessed a fully operational industrial ecosystem – more than a concept or lab setup. They experienced how all partners have integrated their systems to build a seamless, intelligent, and sustainable flexo line. Every step of the print packaging production workflow; from plate imaging, exposure and processing to cutting, mounting, and printing; was automated, showing how Flexo 5.0 is already a reality.

Unprecedented Automation Across the Workflow

The demonstration included Esko’s CDI Quartz plate imager and XPS exposure systems, Asahi’s CrystalCleanConnect automated plate processor, Kongsberg PCS cutting table, and Allstein’s automatic mounting system and its Genesis flexo press, including sleeve and anilox chamber handling. The integration reduced operator requirements to one. It also brought unprecedented automation and standardization to the workflow. The result: reduced manual intervention and a significant leap forward in industrial productivity.

CrystalCleanConnect simplifies and accelerates plate processing, delivering cutting-ready plates directly to the Kongsberg PCS cutting table for high-precision finishing and less waste. More importantly, CCC has always stood for continuity in the workflow. This demonstration marks not an end point, but a starting point for further integration projects along the flexographic value chain. With multiple CrystalCleanConnect systems already in the market, the partners will continue to connect additional systems and extend automation even further.

A Milestone Moment for Flexo

This event marked the first public demonstration of such a high level of cross-vendor integration and automation in flexo. Attendees praised the line’s clarity, precision, and speed – confirming that flexo automation is now an industrial reality. One of the photographs taken at the beginning of the event was automatically processed during the demonstration, and visitors left with a freshly printed copy produced on the flexographic press.

For more information, images or interview opportunities, please contact Monika Dürr.

About Asahi Photoproducts

We believe that sustainable innovation is key to the future of print – and we support our customers in being trailblazers in achieving both environmental and production goals.

More information is available at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

Contact
Dr. Dieter Niederstadt
Asahi Photoproducts Europe n.v./s.a.
dieter.niederstadt@asahi-photoproducts.com
+49(0)2301 946743

Sustainable Pasta Packaging: Don Quijote’s Shift to Flexographic Printing

Asahi Kasei — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Water-Washable Technology Reduces CO₂ Emissions by 60% in Printing Process

Tokyo, Japan – July 24, 2025

In response to growing concerns over the environmental impact of food packaging, Japanese companies are taking innovative steps to cut emissions without compromising quality. A new collaboration between Don Quijote Co., Ltd. (Pan Pacific International Holdings Corporation), Sagawa Printing Co., Ltd., and Asahi Kasei—parent company of Asahi Photoproducts—has led to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions in the printing of frozen pasta packaging.

For the private-label “Yaba Mori Pasta” series, Don Quijote Co., Ltd. has chosen to implement water-based flexographic printing, using Asahi’s AWP™ water-washable flexographic plate. This printing method replaces conventional solvent-based gravure printing, a dominant practice in Japan, and marks a forward-thinking step in sustainable food packaging.

Sagawa Printing established the optimal printing conditions for this transition in close collaboration with Asahi Kasei. According to their calculations, this method is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions from the printing process by approximately 60 percent compared to conventional gravure systems.

Water-based flexographic printing inherently generates fewer emissions, thanks to the water-based inks and the AWP™ plate’s development process.

While solvent-based gravure printing continues to dominate Japan’s packaging industry, growing environmental awareness is driving interest in more sustainable alternatives. The “Yaba Mori Pasta” packaging serves as a tangible example of how food brands can reduce their environmental footprint through innovation in print technology.

Through partnerships like this, Asahi aims to contribute to a more sustainable society, promoting the elimination of VOCs and supporting cleaner production processes across the food packaging sector.

Further background on the technology behind this sustainable shift:

Asahi’s AWP™ (Asahi Water-Washable Plate) represents an innovative approach to flexographic platemaking, replacing traditional solvent-based processes with water-based solutions. This advanced technology eliminates the need for organic solvents during plate development, significantly reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and improving safety and environmental performance at printing sites. Moreover, AWP™ plates enhance print consistency, improve productivity, and deliver exceptional print quality, making them particularly suitable for high-standard food packaging applications.

The adoption of AWP™ technology is central to Asahi’s broader Solvent ZERO initiative, aimed at helping the packaging and printing industries transition away from solvent-based systems towards fully sustainable production methods. Through Solvent ZERO, Asahi encourages printers worldwide to adopt water-based flexographic systems, promoting cleaner air, safer working environments, and substantial reductions in carbon footprints. The “Yaba Mori Pasta” packaging project clearly demonstrates the practical benefits of embracing such advanced flexographic solutions, highlighting measurable sustainability gains without compromising print quality or operational efficiency.

By driving industry-wide adoption of its Solvent ZERO principles, Asahi actively supports global sustainability goals and the growing demand for environmentally responsible packaging solutions.

For more information, please reach out via email at hello@asahi-photoproducts.com or visit our website at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.