"Lots of polyester CTP users come to see us as they want to move to metal, but manual loading is a step backwards for them, meaning theyd have to employ someone to load the machine," said vice president sales Peter Flynn.

At Ipex HighWater will launch the Platinum Reflex 2218, an autoloading version, that costs 47,000 including RIP. It will be shown on HighWaters stand and on Komoris stand where it will be producing plates for a Lithrone 20 press.

HighWater estimates that between 25% and 50% of 2218s will be sold with the autoloader and that half of the manual machines sold will later be upgraded in the field.

To date HighWater has sold nearly 100 units of the Platinum 2218, giving it a dominant position in the 2pp metal market. Flynn believes this market is set for strong growth.

"The move from polyester to metal in B3 is because press minders prefer it and the higher quality," he claimed.

Story by Barney Cox