Asahi Kasei Corp., headquartered in Tokyo which is the parent company of Asahi Photoproducts, today announced that Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd., also headquartered in Tokyo, has switched to AWP™ water-washable flexographic plates for the printing of beverage labels in Japan on their 550 ml PET bottles. This is the first time for AWP™ plates to be used for printing labels in the beverage industry in Japan. In implementing this next-generation flexo printing technology, Asahi Kasei collaborated with Fuji Seal, Inc. According to research by Fuji Seal, this is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 30% compared to the plate technology that had previously been used.

Flexographic printing is a widely used printing method around the world. Currently, the printing plates used are primarily solvent-washable plates that require an organic solvent-based washing solution in the wash out step of the plate-making process. Asahi Kasei develops and manufactures water-washable plates that use a water-based washing solution, which is more environmentally friendly. The AWP™ water-washable plates adopted for label printing at Suntory Beverage & Food are now used at its Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Plant, where solvent-washable plates had previously been used.

Based on Asahi Kasei’s Group Mission of contributing to life and living for people around the world, the company will continue to promote its AWP™ family of water-washable plates to replace solvent-washable plates in beverage label applications. It is expected that this can reduce the environmental impact of printing, which will contribute to the achievement of a sustainable society.
For more information about products and services from Asahi Kasei and its subsidiary Asahi Photoproducts that are in harmony with the environment, visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com

About Asahi Photoproducts

Founded in 1973, Asahi Photoproducts is a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Corp., which has a century of operating history. Asahi Photoproducts is a leading pioneer in the development of photopolymer flexo printing plates. By creating high-quality flexographic solutions through continued innovation, the company aims to drive printing forward in harmony with the environment. Follow Asahi Photoproducts at        .
More information is available at www.asahi-photoproducts.com.

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

Images & captions:

Image 1

Caption: Suntory water bottle with label printed using AWP™ plates

Image 2    

Caption: Asahi Kasei’s AWP™ water-washable plates eliminate the use of organic solvents with the unique platemaking process shown here

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