Kodak’s Sonora Plate Green Leaf award winners paving the way

Laurel Bruner discusses how prizes such as Kodak’s Sonora Plate Green Leaf award is a fantastic way to raise awareness for sustainability.

Each year Kodak acknowledges printers around the world for their progress in sustainability. To be considered for the Kodak Sonora Plate Green Leaf Award, it is essential that printing companies use the Kodak Sonora processless plate and head their business in a manner that reduces the impact to the environment. In 2017 there were 14 winners across the world, which was a record number suggesting that the sustainability message is starting to be heard.

Processless printing plates don’t require chemical processing and reduces the amount of energy, waste and water related with conventional plates. There is an increasing demand around the world for Sonora plates and it is estimated that by 2019 30% of Kodak’s plate sales will be processless plates.

The 2017 Sonora Plate Green Leaf Award winners include Mitchell Press Ltd. (Canda), Alcom Printing (US), School Lane Colour Press (UK), Druckerie Lokay (Germany), Litotech (Ecuador), Southern Colour Print (New Zealand), Cartocor S.A. (Argentina), Colour King (South Africa), ASCON CO. Ltd (Japan), Zühal Ofset (Turkey), Hongbo Co. Ltd (China), Vivar Printing Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), Golden Cup Printing Co. Ltd (China) and Changsun P&T Co. Ltd (Korea). All of the winners have introduced procedures that advances energy efficiency and resource management in their businesses.

Most companies are making improvements in waste management and are developing in other areas as well. For example, they are all proactive recyclers including Cartocar in Argentina who guarantee that materials are sustainably sourced. Changsung P&T Co in Korea and Alcom Printing in the US have introduced LED lighting in their facilities. Several companies such as Golden Cup Printing in China and Ascon in Japan have invested in new equipment to be more energy efficient.

The winners are also applying compliance programs and advanced training to develop their overall efficiency and environmental impact. Numerous companies were involved in various local sustainability initiatives by working with their communities to inspire recycling.

Kodak’s General Manager of Worldwide Sales for the print systems division, Richard Rinkdo said that “it is evident that the printing industry’s adoption of sustainable business solutions shows good environmental stewardship, sustainability and expanding each printer’s business.”

The printing industry has faced accusations that it is inefficient and dirty. In response, the industry has attempted to clean up its act and to have more efficient processes. For a majority of printers, the focus is as much about saving their business as it is about saving the planet. Although, there is no denying that both commercial and sustainability go hand in hand. Prizes such as Kodak’s Sonora Plate Green Leaf award is a fantastic way to acknowledge this change.

Source: This article was produced by the Verdigris project, an industry initiative intended to raise awareness of print’s positive environmental impact. This commentary helps printing companies keep up to date with environmental standards, and how environmentally friendly business management can help improve their bottom lines. Verdigris is supported by the following companies: Agfa Graphics, Spindrift.click, EFI, FESPA, HP, Kodak, Kornit Digital, Ricoh, Splash PR, Unity Publishing and Xeikon.