Kodak opens China plate plant

In response to the growing plate demand in China and the Asia Pacific region, Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y. is opening a second production line for its Xiamen printing plate manufacturing facility. The expanded, state-of-the-art facility in China’s southeastern city will enhance Kodak’s manufacturing capacity for offset products and underlines Kodak’s commitment to strengthen its production base for customers in this fast-growing market.

“China and the Asia Pacific region are key markets, and the expanded Xiamen plant gives us closer proximity and enhanced capability in serving our customers in this part of the world,” said Douglas Edwards, general manager and vice president, Prepress Solutions, and vice president, Kodak. “The second manufacturing line in Xiamen will bring our offset production capability to the next level, as this operation will support the manufacturing of Kodak’s leading edge portfolio.”

The manufacturing line will produce CTP plates for the Greater Asia Region and will supply other regions with certain plates. The plant will support the development of current and new products.

Kodak’s plate portfolio includes flexographic, sheet-fed and web offset printing solutions for commercial, newspaper, and packaging printers. Kodak invented thermal plates in 1995 with the introduction of the KODAK DIRECT IMAGE Thermal Plate.