For press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) and its local subsidiary KBA-China, the five-day Print China trade fair in Dongguan (Guangdong province) that ended on 13 April was a resounding success. KBA's banner – "Proven Green Technology" – reflected the group's focus on environmentally friendly print production, and drew a big attendance to the 1,000m²-plus (10,765ft²) KBA stand, as did the four litho presses exhibited. By the end of the fair KBA had surpassed all expectations, even for the biggest show in 2011, booking orders for more than 250 Rapida small-, medium- and large-format printing units plus two Compacta 215 press lines. Once again the Chinese printing industry underscored its dynamic growth trajectory, particularly in the sheetfed sector.

Credibility key in conservation

With ecology and climate protection high on the list of priorities in China's new five-year plan, vendor credibility plays a central role. Members of the trade in China acknowledge KBA, which is now the world's second-biggest press manufacturer, as one of the pioneers and promoters of eco-friendly press technology. KBA unveiled emissions-tested litho presses back at Drupa 2000, long before any other vendor. It has swum against the mainstream for the past 15 years, single-mindedly pursuing advances in waterless offset with waste-reducing anilox inking units for both sheetfed and web presses (74 Karat, Rapida 74G, Cortina, Genius 52UV). In conventional offset the group was an early adopter of alcohol-free print production and more recently has focussed on energy efficiency with new products like its VariDryBLUE dryer with heat recovery in large format, or energy-saving B2 (29in) Rapida 75E press.

Especially the Genius 52UV has a WLO – certificate, which is now available. The "Waterless Offset printing" (WLO) is to be especially in particular in connection with the observance of the criteria of the certificate of the DGUV Test "emission tested ". For the environment this means:
- decreased chemicals application
- decreased water application
- decreased aerial issue
- decreased water issue
- a positive energy efficiency

The advantages for the user also arise from cost savings with the more actual use of the consumption materials and the discontinuation of the supervision duty with his costly measurements - with no chemicals. The increases to be expected by the legislator become groundless therefore.

So the Genius 52UV has the most environmentally friendly offset printing technologies of the world – of course with certifcate.