Interest in sustainability from every member of the flexographic workflow, all the way to Consumer Product Companies and end customers, continues to grow.
The number of entries vying for the 2024 FTA Sustainability Excellence Award—the largest in the competition’s 20+ years—is the latest data point to support that observation.
These innovations in sustainability and sustainability programs show flexographic printers and suppliers putting sustainability front and center in their business’ day-to-day operations, in the products they produce, in their go-to-market strategies and in how they approach solving problems.
The award winners and honorable mentions in this year’s record-breaking competition are:
- Asahi Kasei: Winner, Innovations in Sustainability
- Chespa: Winner, Sustainability Programs
- Miraclon: Winner, Innovations in Sustainability
- MacDermid Graphics Solutions: Honorable Mention, Innovations in Sustainability
- Sun Chemical: Honorable Mention, Innovations in Sustainability
- Tempo Flexible Packaging: Honorable Mention, Sustainability Programs
“This year’s FTA Sustainability Excellence Awards have seen an unprecedented number of entries, showcasing the industry’s dedication to sustainability like never before,” said FTA Sustainability Committee Chair Justin Green of Comexi. “The sheer volume is matched only by the outstanding quality of submissions, reflecting the commitment of companies towards environmentally conscious practices. It underscores the vital importance of sustainability in our industry, driving innovation and responsible stewardship for a better future.”
One Ink for All Jobs
“Save time. Spare resources. Eliminate waste. Meet demands of environmentally conscious consumers!” That’s the message Sun Chemical has for converters considering adoption of its new Solimax AP ink series, designed with sustainable package production in mind.
Solimax AP is one ink system that can handle all types of jobs—lamination and surface print—allowing flexo printing across a wide range of packaging substrates and formats. The inks have been certified compostable within usage limits.
According to Sun Chemical, printers/converters that beta tested the product acknowledged:
- Mistakes from wrong ink being used were eliminated
- Inventory levels in ink room decreased approximately 40%
- A reduced number of job changes throughout the day:
- Process inks do not need to change
- Minimal concerns about ink-to-ink contamination
- Less time waiting for ink
- 5-10% reduction in downtime
- Reduced waste—approximately 15%—from wash-up
SunUno Solimax AP provides numerous environmental improvements as well:
- Press shutdowns and startups to switch ink systems can be minimized or avoided, which creates less printed waste
- Ink inventory is reduced, which results in less ink waste
- Enhances ability to re-work press returns
- TUV compostability certification
- Minimum impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) liabilities for non-sustainable packaging structures, as more and more US States adopt legislation
Heather Buchholz, global marketing manager, reported she was thrilled with the honorable mention. “Our submission for SunUno Solimax AP highlights our multi-purpose ink series to enable sustainable packaging. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to developing sustainable solutions within the industry.”