Flexo Leader Honored with Notable Achievement at the 20th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation
Promopack Significantly Reduces Non-renewable Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Using DuPont™ Cyrel® FAST Thermal Process
Promopack Digital Studios (Promopack), a leading supplier to the packaging industry in the United Kingdom, (http://www.promopack.co.uk), recently was honored in the Notable Achievement category at the 20th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation for its use of the DuPont™ Cyrel® FAST thermal process. Promopack was recognized for eliminating solvents and reducing energy usage in the manufacturing process by more than 50 percent via their installation of Cyrel® FAST process technology, which enables a one-step process to replace a four-part approach.
The DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation is the industry’s longest running, independently judged global awards program honoring packaging materials, processes, technology and service innovations. The international expert jury focused on innovation in seven factors, including responsible sourcing, effective recovery and energy optimization, which contribute to sustainable packaging as their key criteria in selecting the winning achievements.
"We are honored and excited to be a part of Promopack's success," said Lisa DiGate, global business director -- DuPont Packaging Graphics. "DuPont has made a commitment to enhancing the sustainability of packaging and package printing. Promopack has taken a leadership position in the United Kingdom with their commitment to this same goal. Promopack's recognition is a reinforcement of our dedicated approach to work collaboratively with the industry to develop innovative and sustainable solutions."
As the first major supplier of photopolymer plates in the United Kingdom to completely eliminate solvent use by moving to the Cyrel® FAST thermal processing system, Promopack has derived significant benefits and advantages.
“By switching to Cyrel® FAST we’ve been able to achieve significant reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as realize cost benefits, all while providing our customers with high-quality printing plates – it’s really a win-win situation,” said Mike Baxter, managing director -- Promopack. “In just one year of platemaking with Cyrel® FAST, we’ll be able to reduce the total energy consumption of our platemaking department by 75 percent.1 In addition, we’ll have eliminated 13 tonnes of solvent emissions from our plate driers and eradicated hazardous waste disposal from our platemaking process.2 ”
Cyrel® FAST thermal printing process also enhances plate stability, usability and consistency which are key factors to being able to reproduce consistently high-quality graphics and images repeatedly without high plate replacement costs. Compared to a solvent plate, which requires five hours of processing, the Cyrel® FAST printing plates can be manufactured and ready for use within 45 minutes, including exposure and finishing. The thermal system involves fewer steps in the process and allows for quicker set-ups and strip downs which reduce press down time and can lead to significant cost savings.
The DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation is the industry’s longest running, independently judged global awards program honoring packaging materials, processes, technology and service innovations. The 20th DuPont Awards has a special focus on recognizing innovations that demonstrate breakthrough achievements in sustainability.
DuPont Packaging Graphics is the world’s leading supplier of flexographic printing systems in digital and conventional formats; including Cyrel® brand photopolymer plates, Cyrel® FAST processing equipment, Cyrel® round sleeves, mounting and finishing products.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food, building and construction, communications, and transportation.
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For more information on Cyrel® FAST thermal processing equipment, visit our website at http://www.cyrel.com.eu and click on Products and Services.
For more information about DuPont Packaging and the Awards competition, visit: http://www.packaging.dupont.com.
1 In last full year of solvent processing, Promopack’s platemaking department consumed 349,682 kilowatt hours of electricity. Since going to a fully thermal system, current annual total energy consumption totals 91,000 kilowatt hours, a 75 percent reduction. Energy consumption figures were obtained by Promopack’s specialist electrical SPECD Ltd. All processing equipment, both solvent and thermal, was fitted with energy consumption meters and recorded for 24-hour periods.
2 Promopack went from emitting 13 tonnes of solvent in the last full year of solvent processing to current zero solvent emissions and no hazardous waste disposal. Solvent emissions and waste disposal figures are extrapolated from Promopack’s purchase ledger, stock and disposal records that have been independently audited by KPMG. Solvent emissions were also monitored in accordance with VOC emissions regulations.
