Taking on the Big Three – Agfa, Kodak and Fujifilm – Xingraphics is forging an international presence for its FIT series of digital plates, and the Eco plate is the latest in its plans to offer a competitive alternative to the other products already on the market.

According to Xingraphics’ international business director, Safwen Hijazi, the FIT Eco plate does not require a processor or chemistry; it is a true alternative to other chemistry-free or processless thermal plates on the market.

Hijazi points to a third quarter release of its pre-launch to beta sites, and a fourth quarter 2008 international commercial release. It will be available in Australia through Ferag Australia, and Hijazi is presently conducting discussions with a suitable distributor in New Zealand.

The company is demonstrating the new plate, which claims environmental gains not only from its processless technology but also from Xingraphics’ manufacturing plant, which meets strict environmental guidelines in all its operations, on Kodak and Screen devices on the Xingraphics stand.

“We don’t expect to make significant sales from our presence here,” Safwen Hijazi told ProPrint, “but we’re keen to prove to visitors to drupa that we are a truly international manufacturer of world-class plate technology. We have taken significant strides in the European and South American markets, and are currently pushing into other developed print markets like Australia, where we now have ten good accounts, and also the USA.

“We have launched three quality plate products in the last two years, and are proud of our R&D efforts in that time. We invest a high percentage of our revenue straight back into R&D, and it’s now starting to pay off for us.”

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