26/08/2025

Koenig & Bauer Presents LED Light Curing at 19th Cortina User Workshop

Innovation for waterless offset printing increases efficiency and sustainability

Koenig & Bauer expert meeting with more than 80 participants returns to Freiburger Druck
Focus on efficient, sustainable technology: LED light curing in waterless offset printing
Sharing experiences and presentations as innovation drivers for users

The Cortina production plant, a 20-year success story for Freiburger Druck

With its 19th Cortina User Workshop, Koenig & Bauer is once again hosting the world’s largest dedicated workshop in waterless offset production from 23rd to 24th September 2025. In addition to demonstrations and innovations, more than 80 participating Cortina users and business partners can look forward to a diverse two-day programme of events that will include practical workshops, presentations, interactive discussions and opportunities to share experiences.

The meeting is being hosted by Freiburger Druck, part of BZ Medien Group, for the second time. This year, the expert meeting on technical innovations in waterless printing will have a special focus on LED light curing

First successful applications: producing economically and sustainably

Freiburger Druck has been piloting LED light curing testing on its Cortina for the first time. “We can significantly extend our value chain with this technology,” said Patrick Zürcher, Managing Director at BZ Medien. “As a result, we are more economical and, by reducing the number of production steps and transport costs, of course, we are also significantly more environmentally friendly and resource efficient. We have been producing with the Cortina press for 20 years now. It makes us proud that the interest in the community is huge. From the beginning, we have transparently shared our experiences to benefit all members.”

Georg Zitterbart, Cortina Project Manager at Koenig & Bauer and coordinator of the workshop, said: “Innovations are key to progress and competitiveness in an ever-accelerating world. LED light curing is yet another example of the huge strides being made in water-less offset production, which is why the Cortina User Group has been so successful over the years and receives such a positive response.”

The Cortina press from Koenig & Bauer produces newspapers, magazines and advertising supplements in coldset and/or heatset in brilliant quality without water and ink key. Waterless printing is an alternative printing system that runs on standard offset presses. Thanks to a plate that uses an ink-resistant silicone coating, no dampening solution is required.

Patrick Zürcher, Managing Director at BZ Medien: “It makes us proud that the interest in the Cortina User Group is huge.”

Advantages of LED light curing

Unlike the standard heatset dryer, LED light curing operates with electricity instead of gas. This significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and decreases dependence on fossil fuels. Thanks to its efficient operation and significantly lower energy consumption, energy costs can also be noticeably reduced. At the same time, the printing process becomes both more environmentally friendly and more profitable. Mineral oil-free printing inks and a significantly reduced ink consumption (depending on the paper used) also contribute to sustainable and efficient production. Another major advantage is that it is ready for immediate use. Since no heating or start-up times are required, the production process is accelerated and made more efficient.

Compared to conventional hot air dryers, LED light curing systems require significantly less space – a saving of 8 to 14 metres is possible here. In addition, the acquisition costs for LED light curing systems are generally lower than for new hot air dryers. This also makes the technology attractive for older rotary presses and enables a faster return on investment.

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Oliver Baar

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