Fuji Photo Film Company has established the Fuji Photo Film Printing Plate Company in Suzhou to manufacture PS and CTP plates to strengthen the company's graphic technology systems business in China.

Fujifilm will continue with the construction of this new plant, which is slated to go into operation in March 2007.

Worldwide, demand for printing plates, including CTP plates, is growing not only in major markets such as Japan, the United States, and Europe, but in other regions as well. Regarding this sector as a growth industry, Fujifilm has already established a four-base PS- and CTP-plate production system encompassing Japan, the United States, Europe, and China, and has established a global system to facilitate the smooth supply of high-quality products and services.

By adding a second Chinese plant for the production of PS and CTP plates in Suzhou, Fujifilm will be able to respond to the rapid increase in demand for printing plates in China.

Fujifilm has also jointly established with the China Academy of Printing Technology a local sales firm in Shanghai that broadly deals in graphic technology systems products such as graphic arts film, PS and CTP plates, prepress equipment, and other items. Under the name Fujifilm Starlight Graphic Systems (Shanghai) Co, Ltd, this new company began operations on April 1, 2005.