Ridgefield Park, New Jersey - October 29, 2001 - Agfa announced that its newly expanded plate-manufacturing facility was online in early October producing its first run of Agfa's digital plates, which are used for computer-to-plate (CtP) imaging. According to plant manager Jeff Aurichio, tests showed an exceptional imaging surface, and better than expected results for the first runs. Agfa expects to ship the first N91 plates for commercial use from the Branchburg facility by the end of this year and Thermostar thermal plates from this facility in quarter one. To commemorate the opening of the new production line, Robert Stabler, president of Agfa Graphic Systems U.S. hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 18th in the Branchburg, New Jersey facility. Joining him for the ceremony were Heikki Koskimies, president and CEO of Agfa Corporation, Wilfried Beck, senior vice president, photo chemical production for the U.S. and Jeff Aurichio, Branchburg's plant manager. Other Agfa executives and plant employees also attended. Guests included a notable assembly of high-ranking industry executives from several printing companies. In an address to the group, Stabler pledged Agfa's ongoing commitment for producing first-quality plates under the highest standards for quality control. Presentations from plant executives included an overview of Agfa's quality-control process. Ken Margolies, head of quality control for Branchburg, offered to share the company's formula for maintaining the highest ISO ratings for manufacturing with the printing executives who attended the opening. U.S. senior marketing manager for computer-to-plate systems, David Furman, explained that all plates made in the Branchburg plant will primarily serve the North American market and will be manufactured to meet specific needs of these printers. Plate alloy, for instance, will be a higher tensile gauge to provide high-volume printers with a sturdier, more durable plate that is easier to handle. Furman also addressed Agfa's commitment to maintain a steady supply of CtP plates. About the Agfa N91 Plate. Agfa's N91 plate is the world's leading negative-working CTP aluminum plate designed to provide excellent results with visible-light (488 and 532 nm) platesetting systems. Built on proven technology, the N91 raises quality and extends run lengths significantly. Agfa's N91 offers today's printers the qualities they need to succeed - fast results, high-quality imaging, and optimum performance even during the longest press runs. The N91 is a high-quality plate that can achieve a range of 2 to 98 percent at 175 lpi (lines per inch). A new, ultra-durable coating enables press runs of 400,000+ unbaked and more than 1 million impressions baked. These qualities and more make the N91 the ideal plate for newspapers and commercial printers. About Thermostar . Thermostar is a positive-acting digitally imaged plate based on innovative thermal technology developed and patented by Agfa. Thermostar provides the daylight handling, accurate imaging, and long press runs that are the hallmarks of Agfa's thermal computer-to-plate solutions. Thermostar is designed for commercial printing applications of medium run lengths, and can achieve up to 150,000 impressions without baking. Optional post-baking after processing enables press runs of more than one million impressions. And Thermostar uses Agfa's proven aluminum substrate technology, ensuring excellent lithographic performance on press. For more information about Agfa visit www.agfa.com/graphics.