ECO3 is one of a number of manufacturers that supply plates to Heidelberg, which sells the products under its Saphira brand.

Eddie Williams, head of sales for Europe at ECO3, told Printweek he had terminated the agreement because Heidelberg UK had opted to source more plates from China.

“We are selling on a value-added strategy, but I think Heidelberg UK want to gain market share,” Williams said.

ECO3, and Agfa before that, had been supplying Heidelberg UK for 25 years.

“From a technology point-of-view the Chinese have only got one product,” Williams added.

Heidelberg UK managing director Ryan Miles confirmed that ECO3 would not be supplying the business in future, and Heidelberg UK would cease to supply those particular plates to the market during the latter part of 2024.

“Heidelberg UK will continue to supply plates from our already existing and extensive Saphira portfolio, which has never been exclusive to ECO3,” he said.

“Currently the ECO3 plates within our portfolio only account for 3%-4% of our Consumables volumes, therefore it does not make sense for us to continue with those products.

“The Saphira plate portfolio that we continue to offer covers the full market spectrum and meets every customer need in terms of value and performance. We are therefore very encouraged and well positioned to continue to deliver plates that meet current market needs.”

Williams said ECO3 had been supplying more than 50% of Heidelberg UK’s printing plate volumes.

ECO3 also has a plate manufacturing facility in China, but the plates it supplies to the commercial printing market in Europe are made at its factory in Germany.

Printweek understands that Heidelberg’s global operations have a variety of supply agreements with the ‘big three’ plate manufacturers: ECO3, Fujifilm and Kodak, as well as with the main Chinese plate manufacturers.