The delegates witnessed insights from key players from the magazine and printing industry, as well as presentations from experts on subjects of relevance for the industry’s future. The conference was enhanced by a video connection with Brazil allowing the participants to experience the presentation by Eduardo Costa of publication gravure printer Abril Grafica directly from his Sao Paulo plant.  

The current situation of publication gravure was discussed by ERA President José María Camacho, CEO of CirclePrinters, in his opening remarks. He noted a further decline in the demand for publication paper reflecting the structural changes in the markets of the publication printers. Publication gravure remains under pressure as, despite the closure of plants and presses, there is overcapacity. However, the development in packaging and decorative gravure printing is impressive as the number of new press sales shows. He denounced the plan of the Danish government to tax non-addressed commercial print which discriminates against print products. ERA therefore has protested by letter to the Danish and European authorities, and it is to be hoped that this tax will not be set in force.   

In his keynote address Dr Andreas Wiele of Axel Springer, Germany’s traditionally leading newspaper and magazine publisher, explained how print is being replaced by online: he demonstrated with the example of Springer’s Bild newspaper – with a print run of over 2,5 million copies still Europe’s highest circulation daily – how different information categories are disappearing into new online platforms. To retain their revenue publishing houses are forced to adapt their strategy and develop their own digital services. Axel Springer’s online strategy shows promising results, as they already generate over 30 % of their revenues from online activities. They retain their key newspaper brands Bild and Welt, while also developing subscription online editions to monetize these brands in the digital world.  

Dr Wiele’s striking presentation was followed by Thomas Ehrnrooth of UPM who talked about how the paper industry meets the challenges of the changes in the media world. Despite recent reductions, paper is still a huge market with a worldwide graphic paper consumption of 135 million tonnes per annum. For the publishers the cost increases in distribution are more significant than those in paper. UPM is also positioning itself in other forest industry products, such as labels and also second-generation biodiesel, which is made from pulp rejects and not foodstuffs.

“World wide web offset” was the theme of Andreas Ruf of Stark Druck, one of the leading web offset printers in Germany with two 96-page Goss presses in operation. He underlined the flexibility of 96-page presses, as 96 is divisible by 16, 24 and 48. Most of Stark’s print orders are inserts, and so do not take magazines and catalogues from gravure. Stark Druck remains a high volume printer, however since the communication world is changing they have to adapt their strategy. Their core business therefore must be enriched by adding innovative solutions such as soft proofing and portal technologies for customer interaction, as well as digital print when appropriate.  

An issue of high importance for the gravure industry is the authorisation of chromium trioxide according to REACH. Dr Aart Rouw of the German Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) explained that chromium trioxide has been listed as a hazardous substance, and that it will be banned in the EU by 2018 at the latest except for industries which get the authorisation to further use it beyond this deadline. To successfully obtain the authorisation the industry must prove that chromium trioxide is technically and economically irreplaceable, and handled according to the highest safety standards. The socio-economic impact is also assessed. The industries concerned have established a consortium to prepare the necessary documentation for the authorisation. On behalf of the gravure industry ERA is represented in this consortium.   

A standing item on ERA’s Annual Conference agenda has been the stability of the euro. This year Dr Jens Ulbrich, Chief Economist of the Germany’s central bank (Bundesbank), discussed the “crisis in the Euro Zone – a never ending story?”. Excessive borrowing particularly in the southern European states has led in those countries to deep and longstanding recession and endangered the common currency. According to Dr Ulbrich the only escape is structural reforms and to reduce public deficits, so that finally the economies in the crisis countries can pick up again. He furthermore pleaded that the member states should give up some of their fiscal sovereignty to the European authorities to better supervise their financial behaviour.    

The afternoon session started with a première at ERA Annual Conferences: a video conference with Brazil. Eduardo Costa, CEO of ERA member Abril Grafica, part of Latin America’s largest publishing house, presented the Brazilian market for publication printing, and commented on their experiences with their new Aurora gravure press. Over the last boom decade the well-off middle class has increased and spurred consumption. Since the Brazilian economy has cooled down, also investment by the printing industry has slowed. However, Abril still produces one of the largest gravure print orders for magazines worldwide: the Brazilian weekly Veja with 1,25 million copies. With their new Aurora press, installed to replace an old gravure press, they can successfully compete with web offset, as the press is very flexible and runs highly efficiently also at lower run lengths.

After the thrilling video conference with Brazil Dr Giancarlo Cerutti explained the completed restructuring of his company. After necessary adjustments they are now again in a position to proceed normally, and the next Aurora press for the South African printer CTP should be delivered early in 2014. The order book for packaging presses, coaters and laminators is at a good level.      

The following speaker Marcel Thiessen of Metaio discussed possibilities to combine classic printing and digital technology: by augmented reality advertised products could be displayed in the setting of the viewer on their tablet screen. His company which is one of the leading providers of augmented reality solutions has prominent customers such as IKEA and leading magazine publishers.

In the course of his presentation on “Diversifying businesses while industrializing digital services” Dr Carol Werlé of Dalim showed examples of augmented reality. He explained how Dalim technology helps to develop digital editions on the base of successful print brands, as well as being used for classic publishing. Dalim’s latest portfolio includes mobile soft proofing on iPhone and iPad, eBook automatic generation and multichannel media management.

The last session of the conference was devoted to technical issues. Matthias Kurrle of IPT discussed alternatives to the conventional plating process. He focused on nickel as a possible alternative to chrome. Michael Hunter of Chardon Tool from Chardon, Ohio in the USA demonstrated how “diamonds are gravure’s best friend”, to vary a famous Marilyn Monroe song title. For conventional engraving diamonds are irreplaceable, but costs for diamonds are increasing due to De Beers’ promoting diamond engagement rings in China. Kishore Sarkar from Daetwyler SwissTec gave an overview on developments in doctor blade technology and on behalf of Heimann Dr Rolf Niepmann concluded the conference with a lively presentation of case studies on an innovative approach to drying using ultrasonics.            

ERA’s Annual Conference 2014 will take place in Salzburg, Austria. The event is planned to take place on 29 - 30 September and will include a visit to the nearby paper mill of Laakirchen Papier.  

Photo Caption: ERA President José María Camacho gave an overview on the status of gravure in his opening remarks.