US-based consulting firm J Zarwan Partners has published an in-depth study into the environmental impact of printing plates to help printers make an informed choice. The report analyses the four main areas in which plates can have an environmental impact - chemistry, energy, water and waste - and compares the environmental impact of different categories of plates, as well as the resources each uses.

Major plate suppliers have made progress in reducing the chemistry and waste from processing printing plates. Alongside conventionally processed plates, there are a variety of reduced-chemistry options as well as processless plates, all of which further reduce the environmental footprint.   

Report author John Zarwan said that while environmental considerations are a factor in plate choice, it's important to be aware of the differences and the amount of chemistry and other waste involved.   

All conventional CTP plates had the same water use; just under 11,000 litres per month. Figures were far more varied within chemistry use. Kodak's Electra plate used half the chemistry of the Agfa LAP-V plate at just 158 litres per month compared to 315 litres per month, respectively.

Fujifilm and Kodak supported the study, which also reviews plates from other manufacturers. It is available free of charge from www.johnzarwan.com.

To provide some level of consistency in the report, the following operational assumptions were made:
B1 printer (40inch press, plate size 1,030x790mm)
1,000sqm (approximately 1,200) plates used per month
Processing four hours per day, standby eight hours per day
Typical operation expected: five-day week (22 days per month)