56 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 252 - April / May 2024 Ongoing Developments The list of sustainable materials for use in sign-making goes on and on, with a whole host of options available within both the signage and wide-format print markets. To name one of many others, Drytac, a supplier of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, late last year announced the global launch of its new Drytac ReTac Clear PET film in North America. Initially launched in North America in September 2023, it is now available to Drytac customers in the UK and in markets across Europe. A clear polyester (PET) film with a clear ReTac adhesive, ReTac Clear PET is a non-PVC solution, offering a more environmentally friendly solution to satisfy rising demand for such products from all corners of the market. As for further development, this area of the industry was recently buoyed by the launch of the new Self-Adhesive Industry Sustainability Action Group (SAISAG). Chaired by Steve Lister, the UK-facing group has a number of major backers such as Antalis and William Smith, all of which are dedicated to providing more sustainable products for self-adhesive work. “We’ll be working to understand where the gaps are in the lifecycle of these products,” Chris Green, director of visual communications at Antalis, says adding: “End-of-life is one of the trickiest to pin down, so we need to make sure that recycling options are clear and accessible. “It’s important to also recognise that there has to be a bit of pragmatism and accepting of imperfection because there isn’t yet a full suite of sustainable alternatives to all products.” This launch underlines the key message here: sign-makers and wide-format printers are safe in the knowledge that even more environmentally focused products are making their way to market, offering them, and indeed their customers, even more choice when it comes to sustainable work. SUSTAINABLE SIGNAGE MATERIALS ► Sign Trade Supplies offers powder coat profile finishes to sign-makers Governments around the world are beginning to implement stricter environmental regulations, including restrictions on certain materials such as PVC Factoid One of the main opportunities for manufacturing more sustainable substrates lies in bio-attribution
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjM0NDIxOA==