Japan: more inclined to develop waterless printing technology

In the early 1960s, 3M, a U.S. company, pioneered waterless offset printing technology and brought it to market. This green and eco-friendly method of printing has long been recognized for its environmental benefits. However, high costs associated with plates and inks have limited its widespread adoption among printing companies. In May 2012, Chengdu Xintu New Materials Co., Ltd. officially partnered with Toray Japan to begin promoting and selling waterless offset plates across China. To gain deeper insight into the current state and future potential of waterless offset printing, the author had an exclusive interview with Mr. Toshihiro Matsumoto, Sales Director of Toray’s Printing Systems Division, at the ChinaPrint 2013 exhibition. Below is the full conversation: Q1: It's known that Toray Japan started selling waterless offset plates in the mid-1970s. What was the development status of waterless printing back then? And how did Toray perform in sales? Toshihiro Matsumoto: Toray Japan began producing and selling waterless offset plates in 1979. At that time, the technology wasn’t fully mature. The materials, special inks, and cooling systems for printing presses required significant development and preparation. That’s why the official sales didn’t start until 1990 in Japan, followed by expansion into Europe and other international markets. Q2: Over the past 30 years of the 20th century, what progress was made in waterless offset printing technology? And in the last 10 years of the 21st century, what do you see as the biggest breakthrough? Matsumoto Toshihiro: First, there was significant improvement in silicone coatings with better ink resistance, which is crucial for waterless printing. Toray’s expertise in silicone and polymer chemistry helped accelerate material advancements. Additionally, we developed advanced coating technologies and worked closely with ink manufacturers to create specialized inks. Printing machine makers also played a role by developing machines with cooling functions, making waterless printing more stable and easier to implement. KBA, for example, introduced a dedicated waterless press, which boosted sales. Over the past decade, waterless printing has not only reduced the use of fountain solution but also improved workshop environments, contributing greatly to environmental protection. Q3: How does the promotion of waterless printing differ between other countries and Japan? What are the reasons behind these differences? Matsumoto Toshihiro: Japan leads in market penetration because it was the first country where we focused our efforts. After years of work, overseas markets have also grown significantly. Europe, in particular, has strong environmental awareness, and KBA, the world’s oldest printing press manufacturer, developed a newspaper press specifically for waterless printing, leading to a surge in sales. Now, we’re focusing on China, the world’s largest printing market. Q4: Recently, it was reported that Toray is building a new plate manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic. Can you provide details about this project and the reasons for choosing the Czech Republic? Matsumoto Toshihiro: The factory in the Czech Republic is primarily to meet growing European demand. We chose it due to existing infrastructure and available workforce. Construction is ongoing and expected to be completed by November this year. We also plan to build a similar plant in China to support the expanding market. This will create a global manufacturing network based in Japan, Europe, and China. Q5: In Toray’s global strategy, Japan, Europe, and China are key markets. What is the current sales distribution among these regions? Which one do you find most promising? Matsumoto Toshihiro: Currently, it's roughly 40% in Japan, 40% in Europe, and 7% in China. While Japan and Europe remain the main markets, we are very optimistic about China’s growth potential. Q6: Can regular offset presses be easily converted to waterless printing? Are there issues with adaptability or stability after conversion? Matsumoto Toshihiro: If the press is equipped with a temperature control system, it can be converted to waterless printing. Special inks and presses designed for waterless printing are also necessary. As most modern presses now have thermostats, the conversion process is becoming much easier. Q7: Is the number of factories switching from traditional water-based printing to waterless increasing? What motivates this shift, and what are the advantages? Matsumoto Toshihiro: More and more customers are moving toward waterless printing. Besides environmental benefits, cost savings from less paper damage and higher efficiency are also major factors. Waterless printing is especially suitable for UV packaging and non-absorbent materials like PP, PET, and PVC. Q8: Despite its potential, water-based printing still dominates the market. When do you expect waterless printing to reach a similar level? What is your view on its future? Matsumoto Toshihiro: Water-based printing currently holds the majority, but I believe its market share will shrink over time. As waterless printing becomes more mature, it will eventually become the mainstream. Especially in China, where environmental awareness is rising, the likelihood of waterless printing taking over is higher. Toray is committed to supporting this transition and accelerating market growth.

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