Ridgefield Park, NJ – October 20, 2004 – Agfa announced today that it intends to centralize its North American plate manufacturing in its plant in Branchburg, New Jersey. The company will begin to produce Lastra/Western Litho plates there. The Lastra plant in Jacksonville, TX will be closed by the end of the second quarter of 2005. Customers will experience no interruptions in service. The relocation of production to Agfa Branchburg is part of the continuing integration of the two companies in North America, with the goal of sustaining profitable growth while ensuring outstanding levels of customer service. The company remains committed to providing customers with broad technology solutions, including YAG and violet photopolymer, thermal, chemistry-free CtP, as well as a full-line of conventional aluminum and polyester printing plates and associated chemistry and equipment. Agfa-Gevaert's acquisition of Lastra closed at the end of August.