The Shine LED Lamp Kit, innovated by Miraclon, has won the Sustainability Technology Award in the German Flexographic Technical Association (DFTA) Awards during a prestigious event in Cologne, Germany. This is the third industry recognition of Shine LED Lamp Kits, following the unique double FTA Sustainability Excellence and Innovation Award it received in North America in May 2024.

Supplied as a simple, fast retrofit to existing fluorescent exposure frames, the Shine LED Lamp Kit enables flexo trade shops and printers to gain all the efficiency and sustainability benefits of LED exposure technology at a fraction of the cost of a new system. These include:

• Better plate exposure consistency, uniformity and quality, resulting in fewer plate remakes and reduced plate waste.
• Increased plate consistency leads to reduced press stops and even greater efficiencies in printing.
• Because LED lamps last longer, reduced hazardous mercury waste from frequent fluorescent lamp replacements
• Lower energy consumption due to LED’s greater energy-efficiency

The DFTA Awards jury noted: “The Shine LED Lamp Kit from Miraclon sets a new standard in ecological and economic efficiency, and with the imminent restrictions on UV fluorescent tubes, it presents a groundbreaking solution for the industry. Instead of having to invest in a completely new exposure system, companies can use the Shine LED Lamp Kit to cost-effectively convert their existing machines to modern LED technology at a fraction of the cost.

But sustainability here goes hand in hand with technical improvement. The significantly higher and more consistent UV output of LED technology not only increases efficiency, but also extends the lifespan of the lamps. This combination of resource conservation, cost efficiency and technological progress makes the Shine LED Lamp Kit a deserved winner in the sustainability category. It impressively shows how sustainable innovations can be not only ecologically sensible, but also economically advantageous. A clear pioneer for a more environmentally friendly and future-oriented packaging industry!”

Reid Chesterfield, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, Miraclon, concluded: “At Miraclon, we’re committed to bringing innovations to our customers that deliver tangible benefits, making their operations more productive, more consistent and more sustainable. The Shine LED Lamp Kit is a simple solution that checks all three boxes and presents an easy and affordable way for companies to upgrade to LED exposure across their entire operation. It is getting a lot of industry attention, and we’re honored to accept this Sustainability Award from the DFTA. It’s confirmation that we’re on the right track.”