DuPont Cyrel Flexographic Solutions has achieved certification for three of its flexographic plate products – Cyrel Easy ESXR, Cyrel Easy EPR2 and Cyrel Fast Easy EFXR – for the Esko Quartz ecosystem, reflecting the two companies’ collaboration on advancing flexographic print quality, process consistency and production efficiency through integrated technology solutions.
“The certification represents an important milestone in the ongoing collaboration between DuPont and Esko under the joint Better Together initiative,” said PJ Fronczkiewicz, north american manager, technical marketing and service, DuPont Cyrel Flexographic Solutions. “With Better Together, we are focusing on validating optimized combinations of plate materials, imaging technologies and workflows to provide measurable performance improvements for flexographic printers and tradeshops”
“Notably, Cyrel Fast Easy EFXR becomes the first thermally processable flexographic plate certified for the Esko Quartz ecosystem, providing customers with a validated pathway to combine thermal plate processing with advanced Quartz imaging technology,” said Michael Weber, technical service leader EMEA & Neu-Isenburg site manager.
Fronczkiewicz added, “Today’s flexographic operations require more than individual best-in-class components, they require fully integrated, validated workflows. The Esko Quartz certification of three Cyrel plate technologies demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with proven solutions that deliver repeatable quality, operational efficiency and greater sustainability.”
According to the company, the Esko Quartz ecosystem uses CDI Quartz imaging, XPS Crystal exposure and Quartz screening technology designed to improve image precision, highlight reproduction, shadow detail and process stability. Through the certification process, the selected Cyrel plates demonstrated compatibility with Quartz imaging requirements while maintaining the plate characteristics required for flexographic printing applications, the company said.
The certified portfolio covers a range of packaging applications. The Cyrel Easy ESXR is designed for flexible packaging and process print applications, offering ink transfer and press performance, according to the company. The Cyrel Easy EPR2 provides a combination of print quality, versatility and productivity for flexible packaging and label applications, while the Cyrel Fast Easy EFXR combines DuPont’s Easy technology with Fast thermal processing, enabling plate production while supporting high-resolution imaging and print reproduction, the company said.
“For plate production facilities evaluating workflow modernization, Quartz certification provides confidence that the complete plate imaging process has been validated across both technologies,” said Pascal Thomas, Esko director of flexo product management. “By combining DuPont Cyrel plate technology with Esko Quartz imaging, customers can achieve improved process control while maintaining the durability and print consistency required in modern packaging production environments.
“The validated DuPont Cyrel and Esko Quartz ecosystem provides consistent imaging performance, enhanced print reproduction, reduced production variability and greater process standardization,” he said. “Together, we are enabling flexographic plate makers and converters to achieve more repeatable, efficient and reliable results from plate production through to press.”
According to Weber, Cyrel Fast thermal processing eliminates the need for solvents during plate processing, helping converters and trade shops reduce VOC emissions while simplifying plate room operations. “The Fast workflow was recently certified as delivering 20% less energy consumption by GreenCircle Certified, providing converters and brand owners with added assurance regarding the system’s capability to contribute to reduced operational energy use while continuing to provide high-performance output,” he said. “With the addition of Quartz certification, customers no longer need to choose between advanced imaging performance and the operational advantages of thermal processing.”
The collaboration between DuPont and Esko reflects a shared industry focus on providing validated end-to-end solutions rather than standalone technologies. Through ongoing testing and certification activities, both companies said they aim to help customers reduce implementation risk while accelerating adoption of next-generation flexographic workflows.
“As packaging printers face increasing demands for higher quality graphics, tighter process control, shorter production cycles and improved sustainability, integrated solutions such as these specific certified Cyrel products and the Esko Quartz ecosystem provide a practical pathway toward achieving those objectives,” said Fronczkiewicz.