KBA reports print boom in emerging markets

　　The 38th edition of KBA Report, the corporate magazine published by the world's second-largest press manufacturer, features the familiar mix of user reports, technical updates on production options with today's high-tech sheetfed and web offset presses, and print-related news from around the world. It also highlights the rapid growth of print in emerging markets in the Middle East, Far East and Latin America.

　　In the wake of the financial crisis the global economic balance has shifted further east: last year China became the biggest market for litho presses, and countries such as India, Brazil and Turkey posted above-average growth rates both in the print media industry and elsewhere. KBA's record export level of 88.5% in 2010 reflects this shift, with deliveries to the rest of Europe being surpassed for the first time by shipments to Asia and the Pacific. The user reports illustrate that an increasing number of printers in high-growth regions are standardising and upscaling their operations, investing in similar technology to those in Industrialised countries. In a globalised economy they are often printing for the same customers.

　　Across the entire industry, and irrespective of location, the key demand voiced by printers is the ability to print cost-effectively and sustainably – and in a provably better quality. This is all the more vital in countries where circulations are steadily declining. KBA Report contains technical facts and figures explaining how these demands can be met. Other features focus on the collaborative alliance KBA has entered with the world's biggest print group, RR Donnelley, preparatory to moving into digital print with products KBA is developing for launch at Drupa 2012, and the proposed expansion of KBA's product range to include optimised consumables under the brand name KBA PressConsum.

　　The English edition of KBA Report includes an eight-page insert by Dieter Kleeberg comparing closed-loop colour control systems by other vendors with the QualiTronic system that KBA launched at Ipex 2010, in tandem with System Brunner's Instrument Flight.