ECO3 announces strategic partnership with NELA to expand APOGEE IQ automation capabilities
Mortsel, Belgium – November 5, 2026
Today, ECO3 announces a strategic partnership with NELA, a leading provider of automated plate handling and pre-press logistics solutions. The collaboration extends ECO3's upcoming APOGEE IQ platform into physical plate automation, further connecting prepress workflows with pressroom operations.
Announced in September 2026, APOGEE IQ is ECO3's next-generation platform for connected print production, integrating business systems, production equipment, and operational data into one environment.
The partnership with NELA extends these capabilities into automated plate handling and pre-press logistics. By connecting production planning with plate validation, tracking, and delivery, the integration will help printers reduce manual intervention, minimize errors, and gain greater visibility across the entire plate lifecycle.
"The print industry continues to move toward connected, data-driven production," said Tobias Lerch, Director Hard- & Software R&D, at NELA. "Our partnership with ECO3 combines NELA's leadership in plate automation with the workflow intelligence of APOGEE IQ, creating new opportunities for printers to optimize operations, reduce waste, and improve pressroom performance."
Expanding the APOGEE IQ partner ecosystem
Powered by Adobe Print Services and supported by color management tools of Bodoni, APOGEE IQ continues to expand through strategic industry partnerships. Following the recently announced collaboration with PlanProphet, NELA brings additional expertise in physical production automation to the platform.
"Printers are increasingly looking for solutions that connect every stage of production and eliminate manual touchpoints," said Arnaud Becuwe, Global Head of Software at ECO3. "With APOGEE IQ, we're building an open automation platform that brings together best-in-class technologies from partners such as Adobe, Bodoni, PlanProphet, and now NELA. Together, we're helping printers create smarter, more efficient production environments."
The NELA integration into APOGEE IQ is planned for Q2 2027.
More information is available at eco3-software.com.
About NELA
NELA is a leading supplier of plate handling, bending, sorting, and logistics automation solutions for offset printing operations. Its technologies help printers optimize plate-production workflows, improve accuracy, and enhance overall pressroom efficiency.
For more information, please visit NELA.de.
About ECO3
ECO3 is a leading global supplier of prepress systems to the printing industry. The company provides a wide range of integrated solutions to commercial, newspaper, packaging, and label printers.
These solutions include printing plates, computer-to-plate systems, workflow and print management software, and pressroom chemicals.