June 12, 2002 -- Baldwin Technology Company, Inc., the leading international manufacturer of press accessory and control equipment, has received four certificates from the leading German research and testing institute - FOGRA - for the cleaning agent used in Baldwin blanket cleaners for web, sheet-fed and newspaper presses. The cleaning agent has been tested for material compatibility on Heidelberg, KBA and MAN Roland presses against four separate specifications received from KBA-Wurzburg, KBA-Planeta, MAN-Offenbach and Heidelberg sheet-fed. Says Ulf Arkenljung, Baldwin product management director for consumables including cleaning agents: "Of course, we are delighted to have received certificates for the web, newspaper and sheet-fed presses developed by these key manufacturers as this reinforces the fact that our cleaning agent is fully compatible with their presses and meets environmental protection requirements." The certificates awarded certify that the Baldwin cleaning agent has been tested to ensure it does not corrode or damage the rubber materials (blankets and rollers) or the pipes, seals, paints and printing plates in each press. The test also examines the miscibility and emulsifying properties of the cleaning agent to confirm it is stable. Before testing against press specifications, details of the cleaning agent’s composition are examined by the Printing and Papermaking Insurance Association to evaluate health risks. The composition of the cleaning agent is also tested to ensure that certain criteria taking into account current safety engineering and environmental protection requirements are met and that restricted substances are not included in the agent. The certified cleaning agent is for use in Baldwin automatic blanket cleaners, models R300/R400 (web offset presses), Z300/Z400 (newspaper presses) and B300 (sheet-fed offset). About FOGRA FOGRA Graphic Technology Research Association undertakes research, development and testing for the printing industry. FOGRA also provides consultancy services and technical reports. In the early 1990s, in order to reduce the emission of high volatility cleaning agents used in offset printing and at the same time limit the risk of damage to machines, a voluntary agreement known as the "Industry initiative for the reduction of solvent emissions in offset printing" was initiated by press manufacturers in collaboration with FOGRA, the Printing and Papermaking Industrial Insurance Association, the German Printing Association and IG Media.