BEING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS | JONATHAN PERT Overton admits that balancing environmental ambition with the financial reality of running a manufacturing business can be challenging. As she says: “Many sustainable technologies require significant upfront investment, and smaller businesses don’t always have access to the same level of support as larger organisations.” To combat this, she recommends that businesses take a long-term view and make steady improvements rather than expecting overnight change. She advises: “Start with the changes that are within your control and don’t feel you have to do everything at once. Measure where you are today, set realistic goals, and build on each success over time. Sustainability is a continuous journey, and even small improvements can have a meaningful impact when they’re embedded into the way your business operates every day.” Greener Tech In order to reap the rewards of energyefficient equipment and renewable materials, it is important to understand some of the latest solutions available to the market. One of the hardware companies looking to offer a raft of sustainable solutions is Mimaki, which provides a range of equipment to UK businesses through its official distributor for the UK and Ireland, Hybrid Services. Andy Gregory, sales director at Hybrid Services, asserts that: “One of the biggest commercial gains any print business can make is reducing the amount of energy and consumables it uses every day, and that’s something Mimaki has focused on for a number of years.” sustainable and low-impact print solutions, the wider conversation is still evolving. As he explains: “Customers are no longer looking solely for environmental credentials; they want equipment that reduces energy use, minimises waste, and lowers operating costs without affecting productivity or print quality.” In Gregory’s view, Mimaki’s approach to the development of its solutions means that “in a lot of cases, sustainability and commercial performance now go hand in hand, which makes investment decisions much easier to justify.” However, even the most energy-efficient printer can fall short of true sustainability if the materials it prints on cannot be recycled. Enter Kavalan, a manufacturer of PVC-free sustainable banner materials developed for the wide-format printing industry, which boasts a product range that is certified by life cycle assessments (LCAs) and designed to meet stringent international standards and certifications. The PVC-free Kavalan range was launched back in 2017 to challenge the wide-format industry’s overreliance on materials that can’t be recycled by traditional processing plants. Nova Abbott, head of marketing at Kavalan, declares: “For decades, the industry has largely overlooked the environmental concerns surrounding PVC, including the toxicity generated during its production, as well as the excessive freshwater and energy required to manufacture conventional textiles. Many of these impacts occur long ▼ Mimaki has utilised UV-LED print into its solutions, which reduces energy consumption in comparison to standard UV systems Teemill’s closed-loop circular system has so far recovered and remade over 100,000kg of old clothing into new garments 100,000 This focus dates back to the early 2000s, when Mimaki was one of the pioneers of LED UV printing, delivering the productivity benefits of instant curing while significantly reducing energy consumption compared with conventional UV systems. In the company’s newest solutions, features such as an built-in ink saving function available within Mimaki’s RasterLink RIP software can allow users to reduce ink consumption without compromising the quality expected for many applications. Mimaki has also invested heavily in onboard systems to help avoid production errors before they happen, reducing the likelihood of spoiled prints and unnecessary material consumption. Alongside advances in Mimaki technology, Hybrid’s own ‘Let’s Do More’ solvent cartridge recycling scheme has been helping UK customers recycle solvent ink cartridges for almost two decades. Gregory explains: “Our Let’s Do More cartridge recycling scheme removes much of the administration by providing a simple, established route for customers to recycle used solvent ink cartridges.” Gregory believes that while print and signage professionals now have a greater awareness of the impact of It’s about continually looking for ways to operate more efficiently. We believe environmental responsibility and commercial success should go hand in hand 57 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 267 - October | November 2026
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