Asahi Photoproducts, a known name in flexographic photopolymer plate development, will take its sustainability message to Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2023, scheduled for 9 to 11 February 2023 at the BITEC, Bangkok, in Thailand.

Asahi Kasei will feature its AWP-DEW plates, which have achieved carbon neutral certification in Japan, the US, China, and Europe, at its Stand C60.

“We are pleased to represent Asahi Photoproducts in Southeast Asia and to have their participation in our stand at Labelexpo Southeast Asia,” said Jiraporn Tongtem, assistant product manager at Asahi Southeast Asia distributor BJC. “Based on our long-time relationship with Asahi, we know they will bring an exceptional level of knowledge and expertise to the event that all attendees will be able to benefit from as they pursue their own productivity, profitability, and sustainability goals.”

Environmentally sustainable plates

“At Labelexpo Southeast Asia, we will focus on the value of flexo operations in switching to Asahi CleanPrint water-wash plates, an environmentally sustainable solution that emits no VOCs and not only results in faster plate production but is also a key enabler in improving pressroom productivity,” said Uina Kawashimo, Asahi Sales representative for Southeast Asia.

At the show, Asahi Photoproducts representatives will discuss the company’s many years of working toward a more sustainable flexographic industry and the importance of setting a carbon-neutral goal. A white paper explaining Asahi’s journey to Carbon Neutral is available online.

CleanPrint Technology

Asahi AWP water-washable flexographic plates are processed without VOC-based washout solvents and deliver a faster time to press than VOC solvent-based plates. Asahi´s CleanPrint water-washable flexographic photopolymer plate technology’s ability to provide high-quality print performance is a result of its engineered photopolymer chemistry design.

The water-wash technology features a low surface energy plate resulting in fewer press stops for plate cleaning for significantly improved press efficiency and reduced press waste. All of these elements make them the most sustainable flexographic plates in the industry. In addition, AWP-DEW plates deliver extremely high-quality print due to their precise registration and ability to deliver perfect printing balance between highlights and solids and full support for fixed color palette printing.

In addition to the AWP-DEW plates, Asahi’s AWP-CleanFlatplates are also part of the CleanPrint family and will be on display at the show. Although they do not yet have carbon-neutral certification, AWP-CleanFlat plates have a reduced carbon footprint, especially when compared to solvent-wash flexo plates. These are an out-of-the-box FlatTop plate solution with high-quality printing press consistency. It improves the ink laydown on wide web flexible packaging and beverage carton printing. At the same time, it delivers a sustainable reduction of the printer’s carbon footprint, delivering stable printing quality even with rough surface substrates.

Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2023 will include an educational program consisting of two in-depth technology workshops.

The show's last edition took place in 2018, attracting 8,000 visitors from 62 countries and 174 exhibitors.

Like the 2018 inaugural event, the three-day trade show will attract label and package printing converters/printers, brand owners, designers, and industry suppliers. Visitors are expected from Thailand and across the wider Asean and Oceania regions.