The partnership with Sichuan Printing Apparatus means that the Chengdu company will manufacture and sell the jointly developed Juguang JPT-1 Positive Thermal Plate. Creo will offer the plates with its platesetters in China.

"We have developed a digital plate that combines Creo's patented technology in thermal consumables with Juguang's expertise in offset plate production," said Creo Asia Pacific managing director Garron Helman.

The announcement follows Creo raising 27m to fund its plate strategy (PrintWeek, 4 March). The company has also invested in the plate lines it bought in South Africa and the USA (PrintWeek, 19 February).