The 'Platinum Green' package from Marlowe Graphic Services (MGS) will allow existing Platinum users to continue using their old CtP kit whilst switching to low-chemistry pre-press.
Darren Eliot, managing director of MGS, said: "The original blue/violet HighWater Platinum was equipped with a 5mW laser for the exposure of Agfa's Lithostar Lap V Silver plates.
"We have developed a cost effective solution for upgrading the laser to make the unit suitable for working with many of the current crop of low-chemistry plates."
According to Eliot, the upgrade will allow printers to run low-chemistry plates, such as Fujifilm's Pro-V and Agfa's Azura V, whilst retaining the ability to run conventional photopolymer plates such as Agfa's N91V, Kodak's violet plate and Fuji's LPNV.
"Current Platinum users can still purchase the standard violet plates required for their machines, although the continued pressures of cleaner working, waste chemical disposal and lengthy maintenance requirements adds massive weight to the green alternative," said Eliot.
"Certainly we believe that many of the 80 or so UK-based Platinum users may well want the option of upgrading to a low-chemistry plate solution, as these are now regularly being demanded by end-users seeking to meet their own green agenda.
"The original laser light source of the Platinum is simply not powerful enough to expose these plates, but there is generally very little wrong with the rest of the machines hardware."
Pricing for the upgrade varies depending on a number of factors, but MGS said that a non-service contract customer that also requires a plate processor would pay around £6,000. MGS also offers a machine swop service for printers that can't afford the downtime required for the upgrade.
Eliot said: "We carry out a full service on any field installed unit prior to commencing the upgrade to ensure that the laser exchange runs smoothly.
"However, we fully understand that this can be difficult to fit into a busy print schedule. It is often more cost effective for us to swop the machine out for one that we have already upgraded and tested in our service centre, but we are happy to offer users the choice."
