ENVIRONMENT / NEWS email: news@signlink.co.uk 14 Issue 254 - August / September 2024 www.signlink.co.uk Folex commits to becoming carbon neutral by 2045 Provider of finishing and coating of films and specialty media, The Folex Group, has revealed ambitious goals to reduce C02 emissions and become carbon neutral. The company’s goals include reducing CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. Folex has compiled CO2 balances based on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, which categorises GHG into three scopes, for all its locations in recent years. Scope 1 refers to direct emissions from sources controlled by the company and Scope 2 refers to indirect emissions related to the generation of electricity, heat, steam, or cooling consumed by the company. Scope 3 refers to all emissions generated in a company’s value chain but not controlled by the company. Having completed this assessment, Folex found that it was necessary to permanently reduce these emissions in line with the climate goals of the European Union. The result is a transformation concept developed in collaboration with Rudolphi Energieeffizienz initially developed for Folex Coating in Cologne but which will be implemented across other Folex Group locations in Schwyz and Erlangen. FESPA lands ‘Sustainable Event Management’ ISO Global print organisation FESPA has achieved ISO 20121:2012 certification for ‘Sustainable Event Management’, recognising its efforts to run environmentally friendly events. To achieve the internationally recognised standard, FESPA implemented a range of policies and procedures to address key objectives. These include waste reduction, energy efficiency, carbon emissions reduction, and stakeholder engagement. British Standards Institute (BSI) independently audits and verifies these activities and the system, concluding that FESPA was worthy of the ISO. As such, the FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin, Germany next year will be the first event in the speciality print sector to run under the certification. FESPA CEO Neil Felton comments: “We are thrilled to have achieved the ISO 20121:2012 certification, which proves our dedication to delivering environmentally responsible events and championing the need for the sectors we represent to make continued progress on sustainability. “Our team recognises the importance of operating our events in a manner that delivers exceptional value to our attendees and exhibitors, while also prioritising environmental responsibility and community engagement.” Mimaki expands its eco offering with new cartridges Mimaki Engineering has announced the global launch of its new carton-based ink cartridges, with the aim of offering its customers around the world access to more environmentally friendly ink options. The launch sees Mimaki replace traditional plastic cartridges with a paper alternative. This offering was initially rolled out in Japan last year and, following the success of this, Mimaki is now extending the new cartridges to customers worldwide. Transitioning to paper, Mimaki explains, has achieved a 68% reduction in plastic usage per cartridge. The manufacturer says such an approach is projected to eliminate approximately 44 tonnes of plastic and 65 tonnes of CO2 emissions. In addition, the lighter weight of carton ink cartridges translates to an estimated eight tonne reduction in CO2 emissions during transportation. Alongside this, Mimaki is working on other sustainable initiatives to support its longer-term goals. These include a neo-chromato process, which facilitates material recycling and leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions through the reuse of textile materials. Antalis stand gets a second life Antalis has donated part of a former exhibition stand to a school for students with special educational needs (SEN) in Leicestershire which is close to Antalis’ headquarters. The ‘market stall’ has been donated to Maplewell Hall School in Woodhouse Eaves which specialises in preparing SEN students for adult life. Made from sustainable materials from Antalis' Visual Communications product portfolio, the market stall was a part of a larger stand at the 2023 Responsible Packaging Expo in London. Marketing executive at Antalis, Liz Fletcher, says: “We design our exhibition stands to be as sustainable as possible, which includes finding opportunities to reuse them once their life as an exhibition stand ends. We are delighted that our market stall has been put to such good use thanks to Coalville CAN and the students at Maplewell Hall School.” The donation was facilitated by Coalville CAN, a community benefit society which provides spaces, support, and opportunities to its local community. The reassembly of the stall formed part of a problem-solving exercise for students. Mimaki initially rolled out the carton ink cartidges in Japan in May last year Pictured: Thermal insineration at Folex's Cologne site The market stall segment of Antalis’ Responsible Packaging Expo stand The ISO provides a comprehensive framework for organisers to prioritise sustainability without compromising on quality or success
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