Asahi Photoproducts, producer of photopolymer printing plates, opened its Atlanta Technology Center on Aug. 6, adding to its network of facilities in Asia and Europe. Asahi marked the occasion with a red carpet event for invited customers and industry representatives, providing attendees with an opportunity to tour the new facility and network with Asahi's regional staff and senior divisional management from Japan.

“Last year, Asahi made a commitment to establish an organization in North America that could directly support customer needs in this important region," says Joe Bauer, vice president of sales and marketing. "Now we have a permanent home for this organization.”

The Atlanta plant features a full line of flexographic plate making equipment, including the machinery required to produce the new line of Asahi Water Washable Plates (AWP). This digitally imaged flexo plate offers the characteristics of unmatched environmental compliancy as it is washed out with water, digitally imaged, and processed in less than an hour. AWP is suitable for all types of inks (solvent-based, UV-curing and water-based), exhibiting excellent printing performance, ink transfer and plate durability. n

Asahi Kasei Corp.
877-344-1223; www.asahi-afp.com