The installation of the processless plates, launched at Drupa, follows a six-month evaluation of the CTP market.

Crown Litho environmental manager Ian Spicer (pictured right with managing director Bob Avery) said that the company had been looking at a range of systems, but chose the Azura after being allowed to test it before its official launch at Drupa.

Spicer said that the Agfa package, which replaces an imagestter, print-down frame and a processor, "will save the company thousands of pounds a year in film, chemical costs and plastic containers, and reduce energy and water consumption".

Spicer reported that the installation had accelerated production "with reduced on-press makeready" and had "released operators to perform other tasks."

The Azura plate uses a normal gum coating after it has been imaged, and requires no harmful chemicals.

Crown recently won a Sustainable Business Award for Environmental Improvement.