Albert Follens, worldwide head of Agfa's Graphic Systems business unit, said the company's mission was "to support the power of print".

"We must address every action, every activity of getting a job to press and then delivered, whatever the run length," he said. "Developing all the necessary tools is not a small step for Agfa, but it will be a giant step for our customers."

He described three pillars of innovation, connectivity and profitability: "We must eliminate non-value-added costs for all parties. Manufacturing efficiency is key to sustained growth."

One of Agfa's key objectives is to grow its new industrial printing division, where its recent purchase of Dotrix will provide a springboard into high-speed ink-jet technology. "Dotrix gives us a flying start in ink-jet, which is a better solution for graphic arts than just toner," stated Jan Van Daele, vice president of imaging solutions at the company.

Its new or upgraded products for Drupa include a chemistry-free plate, the Azura, based on Agfa's existing Thermolite plate technology used for DI presses.

"processless will be a major topic at Drupa," said CTP director Theo De Keersmaecker. "As we have seen in the past we have to differentiate between working products and technology demonstrations. Azura is real and it works and it will be available at Drupa."

Agfa is targeting Azura at lower volume customers where the workload varies from day to day. The plate cannot be baked, but is suitable for run lengths of up to 100,000. After exposure, the non-image areas are removed in a plate gumming unit. "It is chemistry-free, not processless, but the technology offers a truly processless possibility in the future," De Keersmaecker added.

Also new at Drupa will be 30mW violet diode versions of the Galileo and Palladio platesetters. These will be able to expose Agfa's N91v photopolymer plate. Agfa is expanding its use from newspapers into the commercial market.

A manual loading version of the Palladio for entry-level users will also be available in May. Also in the 4pp sector, Agfa has launched a new thermal model, the Acento, based on Screen's PlateRite 4100.

Faster versions of the Xcalibur external drum thermal platesetters will also be unveiled at Drupa, and will ship later this year. The XXT (40pph) and VLF XXT (speed to be announced) both use Agfa's GLV technology.

In proofing, Agfa has a new double-sided imposition proofer, the Grand SherpaMatic. The firm has now sold more than 7,000 Sherpas worldwide. New software for soft and remote proofing will also be at Drupa, and Agfa is also opening up its software and media for use with non-Agfa kit for the first time.

Johan Berlaen, general manager of software solutions, said printers need to move from job-based manufacturing models to a project-based model "with the customer at the centre."

Its Delano project management system will be used in all the PrintCity Print Factories at Drupa, as well as at the CIP4 stand. A new version of Delano with enhanced features has just been released.

There is no news at present on the Arcadia asset management tool. Berlaen said: "We are evaluating the market, especially in the States. Drupa is still a while away so we may have some news there."

By Jo Francis in Mortsel