Kodak continues to innovate; readies for PrintPack in India

And even though Grady won't be present at the PrintPack show at Greater Noida from 4 to 8 February, Kodak will be showcasing a raft of products. Kodak announced new products in Drupa 2016 and will be launching them commercially in 2017. These are: the Sonora UV process-free Plates, for short to medium run UV and packaging applications; the Sword Max, which takes the Sword Ultra to the next level; and the Libra VP violet plate. This, as Grady said, "Is Kodak's violet plate offering for the newspaper segment – easy-chemistry option also possible."

Besides this, Kodak will distribute calendar samples which have been produced using the complete Kodak pre-press solution of CTP Platesetter, Sonora UV process-free plate, and Prinergy workflow with Dotshop. The highlight of the sample is, AM + FM screening which has beautify rendered micro-text produced with UV inks.

While Grady said, "Details on the Prosper disposal process remain confidential", he was bullish on the Sonora plate sales around the world plus the strides in flexography solutions which contribute "25% of Kodak's sales revenue." Grady said, "The outlook on the latest CTPs and our new flexo capabilities, post Drupa 2016 have been very good."

He added, "As a technology company, we’re applying science at a higher rate than any of our competitors to create environmental solutions and lower cost products that make our customers more profitable."

Grady compared Kodak to a book and each technology shift and product to a chapter in the book. He concluded, "Kodak has launched a series of great products since the time of George Eastman and what he did originally. That theme continues: Science, great products and simplicity as well."