Hewlett Packard has set its sights on EcoPrint Europe 2012 to demonstrate why going green is good for print businesses. The company has announced initial details of its activities for the event, taking place from 26-27 September, in Berlin, at which the company is the headline partner.
The company will reiterate its focus on sustainability and, in particular, the commercial benefits achievable for print service providers (PSPs) that deploy technology designed to reduce the impact on the environment. This will be demonstrated via live printing applications on the HP Designjet L26500 Printer, which features water-based HP Latex Inks that produce odourless (1) prints; as well as through educational presentations and discussions.
HP will hold two informative presentations as part of the events Eco-showcase activity:
More sustainable choices for retail store decoration
26th September, 13.00hrs
Roman Barba, HP Latex applications specialist
Digital sign & display printing technologies – such as HP Latex – and new substrates are providing opportunities to make more sustainable choices for decorating retail stores and creating retail signage. This session will review just some of the latest solutions in a way that increases customer impact, whilst reducing environmental impact.
The environmental benefits of digital printing of labels & packaging
27th September, 13.00hrs
Christian Menegon, business development manager, HP Indigo
Innovation in digital printing is for the first time allowing brand owners to reduce inventory, waste and the carbon footprint in their label and packaging supply chains. This session will look at real examples of how brand owners have already been able to achieve this, while enhancing their ability to make rapid design changes.
Looking at the US market – a barometer for environmental change
In addition to its educational presentations, Stephen Goddard, environmental leadership programme manager for HPs Graphics Solutions Business, will host a panel discussion looking at recent sustainability developments in the USA. Often an early indicator to what can influence methods and practices in Europe, this discussion will consider where the market is headed in terms of environmental issues.
Part of this session will look at the work of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (2), a not- for-profit-organisation, backed by major US printing associations, HP and others. SGP is starting to win the support of well-known brands, some of which are already requesting that PSPs that undertake work for them have attained the certification. According to Goddard, leading certifications around the world that are applicable to printing businesses – like the one from SGP in North America – can not only drive PSPs to take a structured approach to sustainability improvement in their print shop, but can also provide them with a badge of honour that they can use to help demonstrate their sustainability credentials to their customers.
More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts and www.facebook.com/HPdesigners or follow HP on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.
(1) Some substrates may have inherent odour.
(2) The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership provides certification within the graphic communication industry to organisations committed to sustainable printing. For more information visit www.sgppartnership.org.
