Kodak Acquires Flexo Assets from NuPro Technologies

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Kodak has expanded its solutions for the packaging industry through its acquisition of certain assets of NuPro Technologies, Inc., a company specializing in processing chemistries and solvent reclamation equipment for flexographic printing. The unique products of NuPro complement Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group existing portfolio of computer-to-plate products, printing plates, workflow, screening technologies, film, and proofing solutions for the packaging industry, including the award-winning KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System.
NuPro’s products will contribute to Kodak’s position as a technology leader in packaging. In addition, the NuPro products acquired fit with Kodak’s commitment to sustainability for the graphic communications industry. David Bradford, founder and president of NuPro, has joined Kodak as part of the Packaging Products Group management team.
“We are delighted to have David and the NuPro product family join Kodak,” said John Cross, General Manager, Packaging Products, Prepress Solutions, Kodak’s GCG. “The company brings a history of innovation that aligns so well with the philosophy at Kodak, where we continue to strive to make new products and solutions that enable our customers to do their work better, faster, and at a lower cost.”
NuPro’s latest innovation with low-odor flexo plate processing chemistries is its development of formulae that produce lower emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to improve worker safety and reduce regulatory reporting requirements. Additionally, NuPro’s Cold Reclamation System (CRS) provides an effective alternative to vacuum distillation for solvent recycling. With regard to solvent recycling, the inherent hazards involved and the costs of equipment operation have typically restricted in-house distillation to the larger flexo platemaking trade shops, while smaller shops have historically relied on third-party distillation services. With the safer and more efficient cold filtration technology used by the CRS, in-house solvent recycling has become more cost effective for large shops and an appealing option for small shops as well.
“The products and solutions we have developed over the years help flexo printers improve their business and reduce their environmental impact,” noted Bradford. “Kodak’s broad portfolio of solutions for packaging is a perfect fit for NuPro’s products, and existing customers of both companies will benefit from this powerful combination. Together, we will ensure that innovation and sustainability are key attributes for flexo products moving forward.”
The family-owned business, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has served the printing industry for 12 years, and has an excellent reputation for its high-quality products and responsiveness to customer needs. In 2006, NuPro won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in the small business category for its development of an environmentally safe solvent and solvent recovery system for the flexographic printing industry.