Broadcast: European Printers Convert Gas Dryers to LED UV to Avert Shutdowns

With the uncertainty in the natural gas market, European printers must be proactive in their leadership to address shortages and price increases to stay competitive. Tyler Kern hosted a conversation with industry experts Christian Sager, Head of Development, Technology, and Services at Druckerei Kyburz AG; Thomas Torp, CEO at GRAKOM; and Jonathan Fore, Commercial Lead at Baldwin Technology, AMS Spectral UV to discuss the energy crisis and converting web presses to alternative energy sources.

“Now our main concern is the energy prices and the lack of energy, the lack of gas, and the war in Ukraine is making the European market very unstable, especially on the energy situation,” Torp said. Prices on just about every kind of energy are increasing. He also noted that prices on gas have increased by around 500% compared to last year, electricity costs are about 7.5x higher than last year, and more than 20x higher than two years ago. “The inflation rate is close to 10%...Around half of that inflation is due to the prices of energy and food.”

Taking immediate action as a printer to convert to LED UV curing can increase long-term quality, boost productivity, and support green energy efforts –all of which make the conversion investment worthwhile. Printers around Europe seem to agree, as installation requests and retro fittings are being requested at a record pace to help eliminate their reliance on natural gas as an energy source and prevent future disruption. Fore noted, “It’s been a dramatic increase in calls from customers.”

Druckerei Kyburz AG was one of the first to convert to LED UV due to its cheaper costs and lower carbon emissions. Sager acknowledged that “it was hard to convert the press being the first one in Europe, but it has given us a tremendous edge on the competition with just the knowledge that we have in-house and that we can share with AMS.

”With an infectious inflation rate spreading throughout the world, finding your place in the world of print has never been so important.

Related Content: In a recent podcast snippet below, Mike Nelson from Baldwin talks about the pandemic's positive impact on business. See the full episode here.