(19/05/2004) AGFA increases production capacity of DRYSTAR(TM) hardcopy film with new coating alley

Mortsel (Belgium), May 19, 2004 - 3.00 p.m. CET Reduced production costs and higher throughput of hardcopy film in healthcare Agfa has taken a 24 million euro coating alley into production, increasing its DRYSTAR hardcopy film production capacity, reducing production costs and speeding up throughput. In less than one year, Agfa managed the construction from scratch of a brand new coating alley, increasing substantially its production capacity of DRYSTAR film, key to the success of Agfa's healthcare activity. “The fast move from analog to digital in the radiology market and its subsequent hardcopy printing of CR, MR(I) and CT generated digital radiology images, will continue to stimulate the demand of hardcopy film in the future,' confirms Philippe Houssiau, General Manager HealthCare. “Agfa is taking the necessary steps to provide the market with the required production capacity and to meet the increasing quality demands.' End of message About Agfa The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world's leading imaging companies. Agfa develops, manufactures and markets analogue and digital systems, intended mainly for the graphics industry, healthcare, micrographics, motion picture and photography markets. Agfa's headquarters are in Mortsel, Belgium. The company is active in 40 countries and has 120 agents throughout the world. Together they achieved a turnover of 4,215 million euros in 2003. Product and company information can be found on Agfa's home page on the World Wide Web at: www.agfa.com. Agfa, the Agfa rhombus, Point of Knowledge, DRYSTAR and See More. Do More. are trademarks of Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Belgium or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Contacts: Jan Leeuws Global Marketing Manager Film & Print tel.: +32 (0) 3 444 73 34 e-mail: jan.leeuws@agfa.com Geertrui De Smet PR and Events Manager HealthCare tel.: +32 (0) 3 444 73 06 fax: +32 (0) 3 444 72 85 e-mail: geertruidesmet@agfapress.com Johan Jacobs Corporate Press Relations Manager tel.: +32 (0)3 444 80 15 fax: +32 (0)3 444 74 85 e-mail: johan.jacobs@agfa.com © CompanynewsGroup