Print in the Channel - issue #6

NEWS

AccurioShine 3600’s VDP barcode scanner. Simply scan the code from a pre-printed sheet and it instantly selects the corresponding TIFF file already stored on the workstation. Furthermore, combining the scanner with the Automatic PDF File Converter provides a seamless workflow which takes files from PDF to the output tray in minutes. “With the shift to digital printing, more emphasis is being placed on digitalising prepress and post-press processes, alongside on-demand short run printing,” said Jon Hiscock, head of production and industrial print at Konica Minolta. “By combining the

AccurioShine 3600 with other Konica Minolta digital colour printers, our customers not only grow their business in new ways, but also add value to their customers, by providing

cost-effective, impactful, premium short-run embellishments to their day-to-day print jobs.” The AccurioShine 3600 and iFoilOne are available now. Both products will also be demonstrated together at The Print Show 2023 in September.

AccurioShine 3600

Konica Minolta aims for more than 90% of its products to be made from circulated resources by 2050

Konica Minolta has set significant new environmental goals, including aiming to make its products from more than 90% circulated resources by 2050. It also aims to achieve net zero in Scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2050. “When Konica Minolta published its EcoVision 2050 in 2009, the targets were in line with what were strict standards for the time. However, as the climate crisis exacerbates, these are no longer appropriate,” explained Olaf Jonas, general manager environmental social governance at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe. “We have therefore committed to setting stricter climate protection targets to fulfil our responsibility as a global company (with more than 39,000 employees worldwide) in regard to minimising our ecological footprint significantly. We also support our customers and suppliers in achieving their environmental goals.” Konica Minolta aims to use more than 90% circulated resources for its products by 2050. These resources are recycled materials and biomaterials. With that goal in mind, the company aims to enable the reuse and recycling of materials as many times as possible to minimise waste and the consumption of natural resources. As of today, its MFPs already use up to 44% and the production printing systems up to 15% recycled materials. Toner bottles use up to 61% recycled materials. In Europe, some countries offer refurbishment programmes for MFPs to be refurbished according to strict standards. Also, part of the collected toner bottles

and cartridges are refurbished and refilled throughout Europe. In the 2021 fiscal year, 11,200 tonnes of end- of-life office equipment were taken back. Of this, 99% was recycled. As part of the World on Loan program, discarded consumables are collected and recycled in the UK. Styrene foam is widely used but has a poorer environmental performance than other materials. Therefore, Konica Minolta has been looking for packaging solutions to replace it. For transport from its factories to Europe, in 2019 Konica Minolta developed a new air cushioning material for packaging and transporting MFPs and production printing devices. By using the lighter, more compact air pillows, the company was able to reduce the weight of shipments by 75% and the packaging volume by 99%. In addition, it is also committed to the use of cardboard. Units shipped from the European warehouse in Emmerich to European customers are simply shrink- wrapped on pallets. Along with its goals towards the use of circulated resources, Konica Minolta is also committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and considers Climate Action as the most urgent area for action. The company is continuously working to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the product life cycle and eliminate waste. In 2005, the company recorded 2,067 thousand tonnes of CO2 emissions; in 2021, the figure was 790 thousand tonnes, a reduction of 61%. In 2050, the company aims to reach the net zero target in Scope 1, 2 and 3.

Olaf Jonas general manager environmental social governance

konicaminolta.co.uk

CONTINUED

printinthechannel.co.uk

07

Powered by