22 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 DTM Print highlights resourcefriendly label printing solutions DTM Print has highlighted ways for users to produce more sustainable products through the use of resourcefriendly label solutions. The company has highlighted the benefits of using mono-packaging – where the same materials are used for all aspects of a product such as a PET label, PET bottle, and a PET cap. To help its customers offer greener products, DTM Print has bundled its eco-friendly recycled or natural labels under the new brand ‘DTM EcoTec. Included in the range is the DTM EcoTec Hemp Paper which consists of 100% hemp fibre; DTM EcoTec Grass Paper, which offers a natural look and reduces the amount of process water needed; DTM EcoTec Paper Matte Nature which is made from 100% recycled backing from used label rolls; and finally DTM EcoTec Poly Clear Gloss R90 which is a glossy clear poly label made of 90% post-consumer recycled PET material. DTM also manufactures a range of colour label printers including the LX610e colour label printer. German-made Kodak plates for improved sustainability Kodak has highlighted its SONORA XTRA process-free plates as a suitable option for printers amidst increasing demand for sustainability. Being manufactured in Osterode, Germany means the plates are subject to some of the strictest environmental regulations globally and some of the most extensive availability of clean energy sources. Central production also enables a close-knit supply chain and logistics infrastructure with the plates being shipped quickly throughout Europe. Kodak has also highlighted that the procurement of plates from local manufacturing reduces the carbon footprint due to shorter and more efficient routes than sourcing from places like China for example. The SONORA XTRA process-free plates also remove the electricity, water, developer, replenisher, gumming solution, and clean-out finisher required for traditional plate processing. Kodak has also implemented automation within production which results in fewer defects and less waste. Kodak has highlighted some of the eco benefits of its SONORA XTRA process-free plates DTM Print has highlighted its eco-friendly range of label materials ENVIRONMENT / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine The fight for green materials Not-for-profit initiative, Two Sides UK, has drawn attention to new statistics showing consumers' preferences towards sustainable packaging and materials. The Trend Tracker Survey 2023 is the latest consumer research undertaken by Two Sides Europe to look at environmental awareness, reading habits, packaging preferences, and attitudes towards tissue products. The survey was a global study of 10,250 consumers and conducted online by independent research company, Toluna. Research found that consumers are demanding that retailers do more to ensure packaging is widely recyclable, with 49% of respondents believing that paper-based packaging is easier to recycle than other materials. Less than half of respondents (46%) believe that retailers are doing enough to inform consumers of their commitments to sustainability with 55% saying they would buy more from retailers who remove plastic from their packaging. Recently the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) joined Two Sides as a formal member in order to better collaborate and tell the story of paper products. To date, Two Sides UK has removed over 1,075 misleading anti-paper statements since 2010, when its Global Anti-greenwash Campaign began. The Trend Tracker Survey also revealed that 55% of European consumers believe that environmental arguments from companies to switch to digital communications are misleading and are simply about reducing costs. Research in 2021 by Two Sides and Censuswide found that greenwashing in Europe threatens the loss of €337m (£291m) of value annually to the paper, print, and mailing industry. Two Sides Europe managing director, Jonathan Tame, says: “Not only are these greenwash claims in breach of established environmental marketing rules, but they are hugely damaging to an industry which has a solid environmental record.” Businesses accussed of ‘greenhushing’ Kyocera Document Solutions (UK) has encouraged businesses to be transparent about their sustainability efforts after research has found medium and large businesses have been guilty of ‘greenhushing’. The term refers to the act of deliberately downplaying sustainability credentials for fear of public backlash. Research from environmental charity Earthwatch shows that almost 25% of businesses have engaged in greenhushing, potentially due to the fear that celebrating sustainability initiatives will lead to criticism or accusations of hypocrisy or greenwashing. Kyocera is currently offsetting to carbon neutral while continually striving towards a net zero target. The company has also launched a series of printers in the ECOSYS and TASKalfa suite of devices which include a range of environmental credentials including its first carbon-neutral printers. In regard to preventing greenhushing, Kyocera recommends honesty, transparency, and practicing what you preach, internally as well as externally. Kyocera has suggested three key areas to focus on to prevent greenhushing Two Sides conducts its trends survey every two years to explore consumer preferences By David Osgar
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