Offset plates is largest division of Agfa

Agfa intends to restructure its printing business with plans to make its Offset Solutions division a separate operation and streamline its products. Agfa’s board agreed to put the Offset Solutions activities into a standalone legal operation , within the Agfa-Gevaert Group. Offset Solutions division includes printing plates and film and  for 2019, was Agfa’s largest business unit with sales, accounting for 38% of total sales .

Plate business has become a commodity market

Last year the division also closed two plates plants: Leeds in the UK, and Pont-à-Marcq in France. Eddie Williams, Agfa's head of sales for commercial print said "The big three – us, Kodak and Fujifilm – can't continue as we are. There's overcapacity, pressure on prices, and reduced volumes every year". Agfa's large-format and industrial inkjet printing systems are part of the separate Digital Print & Chemicals division.The move will spark speculation that the Agfa may try to sell or spin-off the Offset Solutions division. Agfa  has a partnership with state-owned Chinese plate manufacturer Lucky HuaGuang since  2018.