Above: KODAK SONORA XTRA Process Free Plates Roller

Kodak is set to highlight the 20th anniversary of its process free plate technology at next month’s drupa in Düsseldorf.

This year marks Kodak’s 20-year anniversary as the first and longest-running manufacturer and supplier of process free printing plates in the world.

“We are delighted to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kodak’s process free plates this year. I am proud that we have been able to advance this efficient and sustainable plate technology thanks to the innovation of our R&D teams and our tireless pursuit of excellence,” said Jim Continenza, executive chairman and CEO, Kodak.

“Today, KODAK SONORA XTRA Process Free Plates set the standard in the print marketplace, and we will continue to invest in our unmatched process free technology for the benefit of printers around the world,” said Continenza.

After extensive and successful beta testing in 2004, Kodak launched its first commercially successful process-free plate, the KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plate, in 2005. It was succeeded in 2012 by the KODAK SONORA XP Process Free Plate, the first generation of SONORA Plates. In 2014, Kodak reached a significant growth milestone by welcoming the 1000th print shop to the SONORA Plate user base.

By 2019, the number of SONORA Plate users had grown to more than 4000 printers, and today more than 6000 sheetfed and web offset printers around the world use SONORA Plates.

Kodak manufactures the plates in plants in Japan, the USA, and Germany from responsibly sourced, aluminium and other raw materials in compliance with high sustainability and quality standards.

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