Osterode, Germany – May 5, 2026 – In an era where digital dominates the headlines, it is easy to assume that traditional offset printing is a relic of the past. Kodak clearly begs to differ.
The company just announced the launch of its KODAK SONORA UltraXR Process Free Plates across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East (EAMER).
This is a full-scale replacement of their existing XTRA-2 line, signaling a permanent shift toward high-performance, chemical-free production.
Kodak is a global manufacturing giant that has pivoted its storied legacy toward commercial print and advanced materials. With nearly 80,000 patents to its name, the firm is no longer just about film; it is the partner of choice for commercial printers who need to balance high-speed output with increasingly strict environmental regulations.
The “process-free” label is the key here. It eliminates the need for plate-processing machinery, water, and toxic chemicals, effectively shrinking the press room’s footprint and overhead in one move.
The technical specifications of the UltraXR suggest a massive leap in durability. The new plates offer image contrast up to four times stronger than what the competition is currently fielding. For a printer, that translates to better accuracy and fewer restarts.
Furthermore, the announcement highlights a fivefold increase in white light exposure tolerance.
Why does that matter? It means the plates are significantly less temperamental in a busy, well-lit factory environment, staying stable for up to six weeks even when stored in the dark.
- Massive Volume: Rated for 400,000 impressions on web presses and 250,000 on sheetfed.
- Versatility: Compatible with heatset, coldset, and even 115,000 impressions for UV-ink applications.
- Strategic Logistics: Manufactured in Osterode, Germany, to ensure rapid delivery and lower transport-related carbon emissions.
Perhaps the most contrarian part of this rollout is the pricing. Jim Continenza, Kodak’s Executive Chairman and CEO, noted that these improved plates come at “no additional cost” to current customers.
In a global economy defined by “shrinkflation” and rising costs, offering a superior product for the same price is a bold play for market share. Is Kodak trying to squeeze out the remaining chemical-dependent competitors by making the switch to process-free a financial no-brainer?
Ultimately, the UltraXR represents a reality check for the industry. Offset printing isn’t going away; it is simply becoming more efficient and less destructive.
By investing millions in R&D to perfect these plates, Kodak is betting that the future of print is high-volume, high-contrast, and entirely chemical-free.
If you are still using traditional plate processing, the announcement makes one thing clear: your equipment is officially on borrowed time.
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