Interest in chemical-free processing has given the CTP market a new lease of life, with both Screen and Agfa launching new models this month. A new thermal platesetter series from Dainippon Screen to suit chemical-free plates uses less electricity and is gentler on the environment, the Japanese maker says. The PlateRite 8000N series, launched this week, is compatible with “chemical-less” plates from a variety of manufacturers, and can leverage the company’s Spekta AM/FM hybrid screening to reduce ink consumption. During development, engineers focused on issues of speed and power in the new recorders and peripherals such as autoloaders. The 8800N-S will exposure up to 36 plates 1030 x 800 mm plates an hour, a 12.5 per cent increase over the 8800S, but with 28 per cent less power. And Agfa has updated its Avalon N8 platesetter series with faster speeds, an enhanced imaging head and new remote interface. The company says the second generation models are visually different from their predecessors and have important changes under the hood to use less power without sacrificing performance. The N8 range is up to 12.5 per cent faster than its predecessor, and supports an extended range of plate sizes up to 1160 x 940 mm. A new internal airflow design reduces the risk of imaging head contamination., register punching can be switched on or off, and a new remote user interface offers email messaging and a graphic user interface for engine data. Pictured is the Screen PlateRite 8800N-ZX with single cassette autoloader attached.