Supplier News - August 2011

DELRAN, N.J.—ACTEGA Kelstar and ACTEGA WIT inaugurated a joint NAFTA Innovation Laboratory. In addition to housing ACTEGA Kelstar's R&D and technical service labs for the aqueous, UV, and fountain solution product lines, the new facility will also be the home of the newly formed Innovation Team.

"Our brand new, state-of-the-art lab facility emphasizes our continued commitment to superior products and services for the printing industry," says Jim Wittig, vice president of innovation, who will lead this team. "Due to the continuous flow of innovative products, as well as improved quality control, the ACTEGA graphic arts customers will significantly benefit."

Wittig will be joined by Dr. John Arnold, who has extensive knowledge and experience in the formulation of UV-curable coatings and adhesives. Together, they bring a total of 60 years of experience to the newly formed organization. The Innovation Team will focus on the development of cutting-edge technologies for both ACETGA WIT and ACTEGA Kelstar customers.

For the official ribbon cutting ceremony, Wittig and Arnold were joined by executives from the corporate headquarters of parent company ALTANA, located in Wesel, Germany. Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA; Dr. Guido Forstbach, president of the ACTEGA Division; Dr. Peter K. Jenkner, chief technology officer for ACTEGA; and Heinz-Ulrich Stolte, president of ACTEGA Kelstar toured the new lab facilities with ACTEGA employees from the local division offices and manufacturing facility.

The new lab represents an investment of close to $1 million. It is scheduled to accommodate up to 14 chemists and technicians.

OEC Graphics Combines ITR and HD Flexo

MIAMISBURG, Ohio—Flexographic prepress supplier OEC Graphics says it is using its EskoArtwork CDI Advance 1750, together with EskoArtwork HD Flexo version 2.0 and inline UV capability, to divert business from gravure and offset. In addition, OEC has combined the EskoArtwork HD Flexo with in-the-round (ITR) sleeve production to provide high-definition flexo imaging and screening of sleeves. Said to be the first solution of its kind in North America, the use of HD Flexo and ITR is the result of combing two leading-edge technologies: EskoArtwork's HD Flexo version 2.0 and Seamex®, OEC's proprietary seamless photopolymer sleeve solution.

"We were the first to have digital in-the-round and the first to use it with HD Flexo," says Brad Vette, corporate managing director, OEC Graphics. "We installed the CDI 1750 with HD Flexo version 2.0 because we were looking to meet our customers' demands for higher line screens and increased gamut. Our goal is to create ITR solutions that are equal or better than flat plates."