Stora Enso : Green printing for a prosperous future

​icmPrint (International Centre for Manufacture by Print) and IDEP France (Institut due Developpement et d'Expertise du Plurimedia) have published a 64-page book, 'Lean & Green Sustainable Printing Plants' that was printed by two of the case study printers - Jungfer and Lokay on LumiArt and NovaPress by Stora Enso. Copies of the guide were distributed free of charge at several stands during drupa.

'The printing industry is part of an ecosystem in which climate change, pollution, extreme weather and resource availability are issues that affect every part of the globe. The printer's building and its associated operating costs are usually the company's second highest expense (after its payroll) and a major factor in determining its environmental and economic impact. Our guide seeks to address main issues, such as energy use, site location, materials transport, and physical workflow, for a more sustainable printing industry,' says Benoit Moreau, Ecograf.

'Automation is a continuing evolution in the printing industry and robotisation is a continuing trend that we see here at drupa. For example, Heidelberg announced that they will launch the printer-less offset press, almost like a photo copier. Automation brings economic and environmental efficiency through, for example, a reduction in waste,' says Nigel Wells, icmPrint, and continues:

'What we have seen in publication printing during the last 15 years with the introduction of electronic media, is the loss of understanding of the communication value of printing. While electronic media may be quick, simple and cheap, many people overlook the essential aspect of effectiveness. Now we are beginning to see more recognition of print media's effectiveness that is supported by some major advertising agencies. This should result in a better balance in communication where print media and electronic media work together. The recognition of the complementarity and the values of each of those forms of communication will bring us to a more stable relationship than has been the case in the last 10-15 years. People who don't adjust their businesses will be the ones who will not survive, and the people who do adjust to be economically and environmentally efficient will survive and prosper, so I am still relatively optimistic.'