Cartonnages Larré cuts costs and boosts green credentials with KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates
Tags: Kodak / Kodak Magnus / Kodak Thermal Direct
* The switch to KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates is part of a dual strategy focusing on sustainable development and optimising the offset process
Cartonnages Larré SAS, one of the leading companies in the French paperboard industry, has become the first converter in France to install KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates. The investment has enabled Cartonnages Larré to significantly trim costs by eliminating processing chemistry, and has helped cement the company’s status as an environmentally responsible organisation.
Bayonne-based Cartonnages Larré specialises in designing and producing solid board packaging. With the help of its 45 employees, the company generates a turnover of €8m. Cartonnages Larré produces close to 150 million slip cases and folding cartons for a highly diverse customer base that covers the agribusiness, electronics, medical, footwear, textiles, cosmetics, animal feed and health sectors. The company’s production also includes nano and microflute containers, as well as paper print runs, such as flyers, posters, magazines, advertising catalogues and more.
The switch to KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates is part of a dual strategy focusing on sustainable development and optimising the offset process
High productivity while protecting the environment
Cartonnages Larré was awarded the IMPRIM VERT label in December 2009 in recognition of the company’s environmental approach. Significant growth in offset output in 2009 has supported the boxmaker’s belief that environmentally responsible principles are compatible with productivity gains.
KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates are imaged on their KODAK MAGNUS 800 Platesetter, eliminating the need for a separate plate processor. Compatible with most thermal CTP Systems, the plates deliver a raft of benefits: they eliminate the cost of buying and maintaining a processor, no electrical or plumbing installation is required, and no chemicals need to be purchased, stored, handled or disposed of. Plus KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates don’t require rinsing, cleaning or gumming.
“Completely eliminating processing chemistry was the main attraction for us,” explains Hugues Larré, Chief Executive, Cartonnages Larré. “Cutting out processing chemistry, the costs incurred in reprocessing the baths and the maintenance costs for the processor has allowed us to balance our plates budget and boost our green credentials at the same time.”
Quality with simplicity
In addition to environmental and economic benefits, the KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plate offers a number of other advantages. It delivers outstanding platesetting stability, which results in excellent quality, and is compatible with high-resolution screens, alcohol replacement fount systems, and the other print variables used by Cartonnages Larré.
“For us, it was a question of not only choosing the most environmentally responsible products, but also of ensuring their optimum interaction or ‘osmosis’ in our manufacturing process,” says Larré. “The KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates have enabled us to square this equation. We’re proud to be the first converter in France to take advantage of this innovative green technology.”
Company-wide involvement
Switching to KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates was a carefully considered decision, as there was no precedent among boxmakers. The success of this project relied principally on convincing the workforce that this innovation was a genuine opportunity to reconcile sustainable development with process optimisation.
“We set up a mixed implementation task force that comprised members of the prepress, offset, maintenance and QHSE (quality, health, safety and environment) departments,” continues Larré. “We focused on initiative, commitment and communication, and quickly managed to overcome the understandable reservations and apprehensions regarding the proposed change.”
The company also received support from Kodak, and everyone at the company was quickly behind the switch.
“The experience has helped foster a very positive spirit among the staff and has fuelled their desire for innovation and continuous improvement,” concludes Larré.
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