Brussels (Belgium) - ESMA, a leading, non-profit association in Europe for specialist printing manufacturers of screen and digital print technology is elevating its profile in industrial markets. To this end it has appointed duomedia, a B2B public relations agency based in Brussels, Belgium, with team members across Europe and worldwide.

ESMA focuses on all accessories for the production of digital and screen printing as well as industrial, functional and specialised printing and the graphic applications that lead to new  developments in printed interior decoration, printed electronics, plastics (IMD & FIM), textile  and glass. ESMA members are industrial, functional and specialty printers and consultants as  well as suppliers of exciting new technologies featuring conductive inks and printing on 3D objects to name just a few.

Peter Buttiens, CEO of ESMA comments: “ESMA’s objectives are to promote the adoption and  correct use of the various specialist printing processes through exhibitions, the press, public  relations, technical training and research into the specific requirements of printing and  processes. It is committed to developing higher technical standards for specialist printing  processes, and to meeting European legal requirements for health, safety and environmental issues. It defends the European market from cheap imports and influences from South-East  Asia. We are keen to attract more printers as they are the most important link in the supply  chain for our ESMA-members. In return, they can gain a better understanding about the opportunities of the specialised printing industry that the European market offers.”

Educating and guiding ESMA members through industrial & functional print opportunities
The association organises a calendar of events to help develop expert knowledge and understanding for niche markets to educate the European printing industry on all the latest technologies, demands and influences. These include regular committee meetings, such as the
Technical Exchange, Health, Safety & Environmental Protection committee, as well as dedicated conferences in Printed Interior Decoration, GlassPrint, Advanced Functional Printing and
Industrial Printing. In fact as Printed Interior Decoration organiser, ESMA will create a programme of 16 presentations providing an overview of the used equipment, materials and printing solutions. There will be four keynote speakers discussing business models, trends and market information on interior design.

ESMA regularly organizes training and workshops around topics such as conductive inks, and it participates in key trade shows including drupa, K-Messe, Glasstec, FESPA InPrint and The Inkjet Conference. The latter event focuses on the core technology suppliers and leaders from the ceramics, textiles and imaging markets and showcases inkjet developments in engineering and technology. Mr. Buttiens continues: “Printers’ input and feedback for ESMA is of the utmost
importance to improve the current market situation in Europe. We want to bring new applications and business models to them and introduce new technologies via educational conferences and training. We believe duomedia, with its extensive industrial and graphic arts
background, will help us target exactly the right sources to achieve these aims.”

duomedia’s Managing Director Anja D'Hondt comments: "We are very pleased to welcome ESMA to our extensive family of industrial print and graphic arts clients. We know that staying abreast of fast-paced industry developments and the impact of regulatory introductions is a
relentless task. ESMA’s comprehensive services can help printers and community members gain a huge amount of knowledge - we look forward to helping them share it with a wider audience.”