The UK along with the US was credited with particularly strong sales of Azura products.

According to Agfa UK director of Graphic Systems Laurence Roberts, the firm is close to 20 installations here. This includes the first B1 user Technik in Berkhampsted and three further B1 installations.

Roberts warned that following price rises for conventional plates in June, due to rising materials and energy costs, he was "sure there will be further price increases before the end of the year".

"We cannot carry on absorbing price increases," said Roberts. "We will have to pass these on to printers who will have to pass them onto their customers."

The firm's printing division Graphic Systems narrowly beat its predicted sales figure of 298m (440m) with sales of 303m. Sales in the division rose by 8%. Excluding the effect of currency fluctations, acquisitions and divestitures the increase was 5% due to substantial volume growth and less price erosion. Operating results were 13.2m down 33%, which the firm attributed to rising material costs and falling prices.

Story by Barney Cox