Neu-Isenburg, Germany, September 22, 2011 – Toray Industries Inc. is to meet higher global demand for its pioneering waterless plates with a new printing plate factory in the Czech Republic. The Japanese specialist expects the facility to be operational in early 2014.

Encompassing both coating and converting capabilities, the new Czech production facility will meet the needs of printers across Europe and the Middle East.

Currently Toray’s main plate manufacturing is undertaken in Japan and the company relies on ample local European stockpiles to ensure on time delivery to its overseas customers in an increasingly important market sector.

“Europe has been given priority regarding the time table for expanding Toray’s plate production because of the growing interest in waterless printing in these markets and the need to shorten supply routes“ states Mr. Matsumoto, General Manager, Graphics Division, Toray Industries Inc., Japan. “Central to the decision is the reinforcement of our commitment to the newspaper market where our customers benefit from the high productivity and the new semi commercial product opportunities the superior KBA Cortina newspaper press technology provides. “

The final selection of the Czech site was made after some years of operating a plate converting facility adjacent to Toray’s textile plant in Prostějov.

“It was a logical choice considering the local staff’s prior experience with printing plates and already being in possession of the required real estate for expansion,“ states Matsumoto.   

The move will improve technical support to customers as well as reduce cost through simplified process flow and logistics. Matsumoto adds: “The European manufacturing site is also expected to reduce the adverse effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations “

Toray engineering staff are currently finalizing the plans for the coating line which will be installed in a new building adjacent to the present facility. It is expected that the freed up capacity in the Japanese factory will be needed for the Asian market, which is also growing.

This latest major capital investment follows the 2003 development of a modern coating facility in Toray’s industrial complex in Okazaki, Japan, where both letterpress and waterless offset plates are produced.
 
About Toray
Toray Industries Inc., the leading manufacturer of waterless printing plates world wide, was founded in 1926 and has a global presence with factories and sales offices in Asia, Europe and North America. The main businesses of Toray are synthetic fibers, carbon fibers, plastics, films and chemicals. Many of the products are developed from its proprietary polymer technology base and are commonly
used by the electronics , packaging, textile, automotive and aviation industries. Recent annual sales approached € 10 billion.
Toray International Europe GmbH, Neu-Isenburg, Germany is the trading arm of Toray Industries Inc serving an independent network of distributors in the European market.

For more information about Toray and Toray’s waterless offset printing technology,
please visit www.toray.com and www.waterless-print.com.