Koenig & Bauer’s Cortina waterless offset platform is entering a new phase of adoption with the successful integration of LED light curing. This development is redefining print capabilities across newspaper and commercial environments. After several months of production-level testing, results presented at the Cortina User Workshop in Freiburg showed that LED curing not only meets but surpasses quality expectations, particularly on coated papers previously constrained by drying limitations. The workshop, hosted by BZ Medien Group, drew 80 participants eager to see the latest advancements.

Freiburger Druck, part of the BZ Medien Group, is the first printer to test LED curing on a Cortina press extensively. “The printed results stood out with brilliant colors and excellent curing, a strong signal that the technology is ready for daily production,” said Daniel Binder, Head of Production. He noted that integration requires minimal changes to press control systems, and attendee feedback indicated that performance exceeded initial projections. The ability to achieve stable output on sensitive, coated papers marks a significant step forward for newspaper and hybrid commercial applications.

Interest is spreading across Europe. Rodi Rotatiedruk in the Netherlands, the world’s first Cortina user, is exploring LED curing to expand its commercial portfolio. Owner Dick Ranzijn said the technology could open opportunities in glossy magazines while reducing ink use and waste. In Belgium, Printing Partners Paal-Beringen CEO Paul Huybrechts sees LED curing as a key technology for future commercial growth. Printers highlighted its potential to replace gas-powered heatset drying with an electric, modular system that lowers energy costs and reduces emissions.

Waterless offset production already offers environmental advantages by eliminating dampening solution and supporting stable, high-quality imaging. With LED curing, the Cortina platform now offers instant drying, unlocking new markets such as book covers and premium magazines. “LED light curing has proven itself in production and delivered outstanding results,” said Georg Zitterbart, Cortina project manager at Koenig & Bauer. With optimisations ongoing and at least four additional installations planned, the technology is positioned to accelerate momentum in sustainable, high-quality waterless offset printing.