2006-02-08: Comfortable production safety prevails -
more than 3,000 alcosmart AZR alcohol stabilizers already installed
The reduction of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in offset printing is a recurring theme in professional journals and printing companies. Long ago it became apparent that IPA not only offers many advantages for the printing process, but also quite a few risks for environment and people. Apart from the formation of ground-level ozone (summer smog) and health-related restrictions in the press room such as irritation of the eyes, nose and respiratory tract, the increasing price is also an issue. In addition, IPA-reduced printing is modern, improves the user's image and guarantees a head start in case the applicable laws are tightened up as expected.

In order to reduce IPA concentration, it must first be measured. Various suppliers offer different units and measuring methods. technotrans, a leading system supplier for offset printing based in Sassenberg, Germany, however offers a solution that is well on the way to being accepted as a standard.

Since its introduction in 2003, more than 3,000 alcosmart AZR alcohol stabilizers have been installed in dampening solution circulators and combination units. For leading printing press manufacturers all over the world, the alcosmart AZR is an integral part of quotations submitted for new investments, but it is also easily integrated into existing systems.

The advantages of the alcosmart AZR as compared with other measuring instruments and methods are obvious: Measuring the IPA content in the gas phase avoids any contact between the measuring unit and the dampening solution and gives a particularly selective result since components other than IPA are not considered. Also regular cleaning of the sensor, required in other units, is no longer necessary.

Above all, the alcosmart AZR does not require manual calibration to achieve constant, stable measurements. The "AZR" in the product name stands for "AutoZeroCalibration", i.e. the alcosmart AZR calibrates itself automatically with maximum accuracy, reproducible at any time. The measuring range from 0 to 15% is also suitable for measuring low IPA concentrations.

The considerable quantity of 3,000 units already installed, despite the relatively short period in which the alcosmart AZR has been available on the market, clearly shows that this system is well on the way to being accepted as the standard for IPA-reduced offset printing.

These press releases contain forward-looking statements which are based on assumptions and estimations by the management board of technotrans AG. Even though the management board is of the opinion, that those assumptions and estimations are realistic the future development and the projected results may deviate substantially from the forward-looking statements. Those deviations can be due to several factors including but not limited to changes in the macro-economic situation, in the exchange rates, in the interest rates and in the graphic arts industry. technotrans AG gives no warranty and does not assume the liability for any damages in case the future development and the projected results do not correspond with the forward looking statements.