No date has been set for the plate's launch onto the European market.

The company has been trading in Europe for a year, based in Peterborough.

Stephen Harris, European sales manager for IBF, said that the firm had had a successful first twelve months, although he was declined to reveal sales figures.

He reported that IBF supplies "reputable and well-known dealers" in the UK. But he was unable to name IBF's clients in this country.

He added: "The merger of Agfa and Lastra is a fantastic opportunity for us as it makes us the fourth largest plate manufacturer in the world."

Harris also pointed out that IBF sell their equipment in dollars rather than pounds sterling.

Luiz Nel Arias, commercial vice-president of IBF, said: "IBF has been taking part in Drupa since the 1970s, when we began to export to North America, Europe and Asia. To a large extent, our relationships and representation of equipment come from the people we meet at Drupa."

IBF produces medical, graphic and pre-press film and plates from its 26,000m2 plant in Rio de Janeiro.

Story by Josh Brooks