Printers, trade shops and manufacturers alike are capturing accolades for their endeavors to protect planet, people and profession through smart production and collaborative partnerships.
FTA’s 2023 Sustainability Excellence Award winners are but four examples.
Their game-changing packaging processes/applications were engineered explicitly to tackle challenges of environmental responsibility, while working within existing infrastructure. Each continues to win praise, recognition, acceptability and adaptation within the package printing and converting community.
By their very nature, the processes and product lines increase recyclability, promote circularity and shrink carbon footprints. They encompass:
- Expanded gamut (EG) printing
- Recyclable and resealable flexible packaging
- Lamination-free monoweb films
- Printable and tunable light barrier coatings
Firms receiving the prestigious honor recognizing faithful stewardship of the environment—two process-based, two product-connected—list out as follows:
- RKW Finland Oy/Marvaco Oy: Winner, Sustainability Programs
- Sun Chemical Corp: Winner, Innovations in Sustainability
- AWT Labels & Packaging: Honorable Mention, Sustainability Programs
- Siegwerk: Honorable Mention, Innovations in Sustainability
On the plant or sustainability programs level, processes developed and implemented by Marvaco/RKW and AWT were deemed to have served to reduce the environmental impact of printing and simultaneously improve workers’ health/safety.
Innovations in sustainability distinctions highlighted Sun Chemical’s and Siegwerk’s inclusion of new technology, formulations or techniques, developed to mitigate printing’s effect on Earth’s ecosystem, as well as its contributions to bettering people’s physical well-being.
Sun Chemical’s Winning Entry
“Monoweb-Enabling Coatings for Packaging Sustainability”—Sun Chemical’s entry for 2023—came on the heels of the company’s honorable mention in 2022. It presented monoweb film structures as alternatives to laminations.
Sun Chemical’s portfolio of monoweb protective coatings, including the SunCure high-resistance, high-durability UV flexography product, as well as solvent- and water-based versions, permitted monoweb films to replace lamination for applications in wraparound labels and flexible packaging—including wrappers and pouches.
Utilizing monowebs in lieu of laminations saved on use of adhesive, film, processing time and final label weight. Commensurate savings helped to reduce the environmental footprint and conserve on the use of virgin resources. Simultaneously, it helped increase recyclability of the finished structures, which promoted increased circularity. Achievements like that were heralded in industry certifications, so important to brand owners, that were printed right on the package labels.
“Sun Chemical is so excited to be the winner in the Innovations in Sustainability category this year. To be recognized for monoweb coatings and the impact they have on driving circularity in packaging is tremendous. It recognizes our approach and commitment to the market,” commented Heather Buchholz, the company’s manager, global marketing.
She further offered, “This award will inspire all of Sun Chemical to continue to demonstrate our commitment to reinforce the importance of continued innovations to sustainability’s challenges across the industry and markets we serve.”
Judge Marygrace Quigley of Fortis Solutions Group commented, “Sun Chemical’s application was interesting in many capacities: sustainability, durability and lower costs.”
Miraclon’s Dan Magallanes, another judge, added, “Sun Chemical submitted a well-written presentation that included proof of performance, as well as data to back up claims.”
FTA congratulates this year’s winners on such outstanding accomplishments!
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