New packaging for Agfa Graphics plates will reduce energy in transportation and waste generated when unwrapping plates, the company says. Worldwide marketing manager for thermal plates Frank Van Damme says Agfa continues to strive for reduced carbon footprint in its products and worldwide operations. “With small corrective measures of various nature, considerable reduction of waste can be achieved,” he says. The company’s Azura and Amigo plates use a ThermoFuse technology which allows the reduced chemistry and water use, and energy and waste will be further reduced buy the new packaging. “It sounds like little steps, but our industry is moving in the right direction,” says Van Damme. “With Azura we offer a considerable cleaner process. “Now we have reduced the total waste of packaging related material with another 50 per cent per m2 plate. We use less inner wrap material, less outer box material and less wooden pallets for transportation. “As a consequence the total weight of the package is reduced hence lowering transportation cost, but also easier handling for loading and unloading of the plates.” Agfa’s environmental strategies have been rewarded with two of the major manufacturing plants receiving local environmental achievement awards, recognising corrective measures in favour of reduced waste disposal and energy consumption.