Features Business Sustainability
Thunderbird becomes GreenWorks-accredited company

Thunderbird Press of Richmond, B.C., has switched to chemistry-free Azura plates in a move to achieve greener outcomes as part of Agfa Graphics GreenWorks, a program that accredits environmentally sustainable North American print service providers.

Azura is described as a chemistry-free thermal plate for low- to medium-volume commercial printers seeking a safer work environment without chemical processing. It is designed to preserve high-quality imaging without press changes and offers reduced waste and disposal costs associated with chemicals, Agfa says, noting that Azura offers simplified platemaking with advanced ThermoFuse technology. Depending on press conditions, Azura can provide up to 100,000 impressions.

“We want to ensure that our people enjoy a good, successful working environment. Azura offers chemistry-free plate production,” said Edwin Nosworthy, Vice-President, Thunderbird Press Ltd. “The Azura system provides high-quality imaging while reducing chemistry, waste and energy usage. Our pre-press staff quickly transitioned to Azura plates for more stable and consistent outcomes. These plates run cleaner than our previous plates, and we reduced our time spent on maintenance.”