Environment

The International Standards Organization (ISO) technical committee 130 (TC 130) has recently launched a new Working Group (WG) WG11 to develop a set of standards to cover the environmental impact of print. The Group's remit is closely aligned with those of the Verdigris Project, the not-for-profit print environmental research initiative, run by Digital Dots.

WG11 is currently working on ISO draft 16759, the requirements for measuring the carbon footprint of printed products, and is in the process of producing the first draft which is available for review, with a deadline for comments of the 4th February. Verdigris is encouraging print industry participants with an interest in the environmental impact of print to join WG11 through their national bodies to take an active role in developing the standard.

Commenting on the new Working Group, Verdigris founder, Laurel Brunner, said; "Standards work is time consuming, unforgiving, unrelenting and unpaid, so it's no surprise that printers and publishers are reluctant to do their bit. However the work has a profound and long lasting impact on the industry's competitiveness. It's important because it provides a mechanism for constant improvement in print production means and methods."

The aim of WG11 is, says Brunner, to have the new standard complete by drupa 2012.

 

Production print with business-winning environmental credentials is the result of the newly launched partnership between BioMedia and Epson.

In a joint first, the two companies have announced their intention to work closely together to provide printers with a sustainable print solution.

Biodegradable within 5 years and recyclable, BioMedia provides a durable alternative to plastic based and non-recyclable outdoor substrates. When combined with Epson’s environmentally conscious UltraChrome, K3, HDR or even GS inks, the result is a fully environmentally-friendly production process.

The announcement follows 18 months of close co-operation to develop and profile the BioMedia range manufactured and distributed by G3S group.

BioMedia is compatible with the Epson Stylus Pro GS 6000, both coated and uncoated, while a water based coating has been developed for aqueous Stylus Pro printers. The range includes:

• 200 micron - ideal to replace laminated posters
• 350 micron - ideal for pop up roller banners and shelf edges
• 500 micron - ideal for pop up systems
• 750 micron - idea for flexible signage
• Bio Banner - replaces pvc banners

Mark Sanderson, sales director for BioMedia says: “We have built up a solid working relationship with Epson and are delighted the rigorously tested range is now available to users worldwide. The varied portfolio ensures there is a substrate for every need, enabling specifiers - confident of consistent results - to pick BioMedia for a broad spectrum of campaign demands.”

Aurora Specialty Textiles Group Inc. has announced the addition of Encore FR to its Weaves of Green line of 100 percent recycled polyester fabrics. Made from post-consumer plastic drink bottles, Encore FR is the most substantive fabric in the Weaves Of Green collection. Encore FR is constructed of spun yarns which give it the drape and hand of a natural fiber fabric but with a rugged texture and the durability of polyester. Encore FR is treated to meet the NFPA 701 small scale flammability standard for indoor use but is also durable enough for short term outdoor use. Encore FR is compatible with sublimation transfer and UV cure printing and is currently available in 100 yard rolls, 58 inches wide. Possible applications include but are not limited to office and home décor, custom upholstery, window graphics, retail POP and indoor/outdoor sign and banner. Printed hand samples and sample rolls are available.

"Giving our customers more options when it comes to environmentally friendly products is what we are all about," said Mike Richardson, director of sales/marketing – Print Media.

 

The consumer education campaign “Print Grows Trees” launched this past March, received the Positively Print Exemplary Award at Graph Expo 2010 in Chicago.  In an effort to dispel the misconception that by using use less print on paper, trees are saved, the “Print Grows Trees” campaign shows that supporting print on paper actually gives landowners the financial incentive they need to keep America’s woodlands safe from development and managed in a sustainable manner to contribute important ecosystem benefits such as water, wildlife and carbon sequestration.

Sponsored by the Education Fund of Printing & Graphics Association MidAtlantic (PGAMA), “Print Grows Trees” connects consumers to the private landowners who control almost 60 percent of America’s woodlands. Age, demographics and financial pressures are causing these landowners to sell or transfer land at an alarming rate, and an average of 4,000 acres of forest is being converted to development daily.

“We are delighted and honoured to be recognised by Positively Print at Graph Expo 2010 for our “Print Grows Trees” educational campaign,” said Steve Bearden, Chairman of PGAMA and President of Linemark Printing Inc., Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  “The campaign’s message resonates globally with consumers and printers alike because it clearly addresses the misconception that if we stop using print we’ll save trees.  We all need to think before we don’t print.”

For more information on “Print Grows Trees” contact Kerry Stackpole or visit www.PrintGrowsTrees.com for facts about America’s forests and the paper and printing industry, and a personal account of Jo Pierce who owns 2,000 acres of private woodlands in Maine. “Print Grows Trees” is a trademark of the Education Fund, Printing & Graphics Association MidAtlantic.

 

 

Green is usually not considered an autumn colour but it is this month.  INX Digital International will have a full array of green, sustainable products, including the European launch of its Triangle brand EDX ECO inks for Roland printers with Epson DX4 print head technology, when Visual Communication Italia 2010 (VISCOM) is held October 21-23 at Fiera Milano Strada del Sempione in Milan.

In addition to the EDX inks, INX Digital (Pad 3, Stand M11/N20) will also feature the new Triangle DTX Textile inks and Triangle Eco Bulk ink delivery system. Both are new dimensions to INX Digital's Green product roster.

"We are extremely proud to have three outstanding sustainable products at VISCOM this year, " said Paolo Capano, Director of INX Digital Italy.  "INX Digital has a multi-year plan in place to develop more sustainable and environmental friendly products, and these three represent those efforts across the board. We believe the timing is perfect for the EDX inks, and the DTX textile inks are solid proof of our commitment to water-based technology.  Not only is Eco Bulk a key element of INX Digital's Green recycling program, but it's also constructed of recycled cardboard packaging."

EDX is a new line of ECO solvent inks.  Their introduction at VISCOM also marks the first time INX Digital's Triangle brand will offer a colour and chemically compatible ECO product for the alternative market.  With dual compatibility, users can perform cartridge-by-cartridge changeover without wasting ink.  New colour profiles are not required in order to obtain the same colour as OEM inks when printing.  Fast drying with low odour, EDX is HAPS- and TAPS-free and provides a significant cost savings option when compared to OEM ECO inks.

The Triangle DTX Textile inks have been a huge success for INX Digital's Aftermarket ink channel since being introduced four months ago at FESPA in Munich, Germany.  Designed for use on direct printing with synthetic fabrics with Epson print heads, they deliver optimal quality and a wide colour gamut while displaying fast drying characteristics on polyesters with minimum 60 percent blends.  DTX also has optimal ink fluidity and excellent image definition and fastness properties.

Eco Bulk is a new type of ink delivery system that is easy to use.  It is comprised of one box of 100 percent recycled material instead of five, 440 ml cartridges.  The ink is housed within a foil bag and once emptied, the bag is disposed of and replaced – a much more sustainable approach compared to plastic.  The foil bag can contain up to two litres of ink, which is double the current industry standard of one litre packaging and results in less waste. However, 440 ml cartridges will remain available for customers using less ink.  An extensive test programme indicated that more volume allows for greater consistency of the product being delivered through the network.

 

Sihl, LLC has announced updates to its FSC certification program including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody certification of their Chesapeake, VA site and the addition of new FSC certified product to the Sihl branded portfolio.

"We are very proud of our company’s ability to attain FSC Chain of Custody certification," said Phil Hursh, President and CEO, Sihl, LLC. "Sihl has a long history of developing systems that guarantee our customers receive the products that they ordered in an accurate and consistent fashion and that includes our ability to meet the strict tracking requirements for our FSC labeled products."

Products that carry the FSC logo are manufactured from papers made with cellulose from responsibly managed forests. FSC certified paper grades with FSC labeled packaging is designed to help consumers make socially and environmentally responsible purchasing decisions. Sihl’s TriSolv, PosterColor, TrueColor, Bastille, and DiaJet paper product lines are all FSC certified "Mixed Source" grades.

Sihl, LLC in Chesapeake VA, is the most recent company within the Diatec group of companies to attain FSC COC certification. Sister companies Arkwright Advanced Coatings Inc., USA, Sihl GmbH, Germany and Diatechnologies, France are also FSC / COC certified locations.