It would be a major strategy change for the firm, which has focused on thermal plates for the past few years and announced it would cease production of its one remaining visible light plate, CTX, last year (PrintWeek, 1 June 2001).

Tributes claims were based on comments made to him by KPG chief executive Jeff Jacobson at Ipex after its press conference.

"He told me KPG is working on the technology and will have a plate on the market," said Tribute.

Tributes initial comments, made on US website whattheythink.com, were refuted by KPG director of corporate and worldwide marketing communications Beth Hogan Scott, who claimed he had misinterpreted comments made by Jacobson at the firms Ipex press conference.

Tribute countered Hogan Scotts reply and restated his original position on Printplanet.coms computer-to-plate discussion forum and to PrintWeek.

As PrintWeek went to press Jacobson was travelling on business and unavailable for comment. KPG UK managing director Jack Wiethoff said the firm remained committed to thermal, uptake of which he claimed was growing at a faster rate than visible.

Story by Barney Cox