In addition to the Sonora which is also being manufactured in Japan, Kodak will also show Electra Max thermal plates and Libra VP digital plates for commercial and newspaper printers. 

Sharma who is a qualified chartered accountant spoke about the “limited edition of the Electra thermal plate which shall be available from Kodak for the first 200 entries at Drupa. This makes it a collectible of sorts for true connoisseurs of the offset printing game.”

 

The Libra VP Plates are Kodak’s foray into violet plate technology. The plates are  manufactured in Germany and cater to the newspapers or commercial printers  with options for processing – like traditional processing or easy chem. 

 

Sharma specially mentioned the Flexcel NX System 2016 which make its debut at Drupa. He said, the Flexcel NX will add to the company’s NX Advantage technology. He stated, “The new features include NX tags for the application of multiple patterns on a single plate layout and Advanced Edge Definition, a Kodak-patented technology that controls ink flow at the edge of objects, resulting in cleaner print and greater visual edge definition. 

 

The Kodak stand will also feature an Ultra NX ‘experience room’ to showcase environmentally conscious plate technology. Sharma said, “Indian printers who want to be a part of the experience room can book their appointments with their local Kodak representatives.

 

Sharma is very excited about the new Ultrastream continuous inkjet head as its fourth-generation product. It is aiming to sign up OEM partners at Drupa who could use the head in sheetfed inkjet presses or in a wide-format array.

 

The Ultrastream is slower than Kodak’s existing Stream high-speed inkjet heads, but produces better quality. It can print 153m/min at 1,800dpi resolution.

 

Prior to his current appointment as managing director of Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Komal Sharma was the regional managing director of Europe, Africa, Middle East. He also led the consumer electronics business for his region. In the almost two decades stint at Kodak, Sharma has led the expansion and growth of the commercial imaging business at Kodak across different emerging markets of Europe, Africa and Middle East. Sharma mentioned how, he “started his Kodak career in finance and spent the first nine years in various roles in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe Region leading many countries to convert to a successful and effective indirect model from direct participation.” 

 

Sharma along with Bhalchandra Nikumb, the managing director – India Cluster & West Asia Cluster ; Channel Director – South East Asia will be present on all days of the Drupa show at the Kodak stall. 

 

Kodak is hosting a special India Day on 4 June for their Indian customers and the Indian print fraternity.