While Leibinger printers are only a small part of your overall production line, they play an essential role. The machines print the codes, the serial numbers, the expiry dates on your products so that they can be scanned, tracked, recognised, and trusted by consumers and partners. When we talk about sustainability, the same principle applies. At first glance, compared to the rest of your production activities, the printer can make a small difference to your total environmental impact.
But these days, a small difference can mean a lot.
You need to consider sustainability in every aspect of your business. Your customers demand it. Governments are enforcing it. Investors are drawn to it. If you can demonstrate that you’re printing in the most sustainable manner possible, it will not only soothe your conscience but also fortify your business, appease the regulators, and, in the end, save you money.
Here are seven ways in which you can prove that you are doing your bit to make your printing as sustainable as possible:
1. Use less ink and solvent
Ink and solvent entail both expenses and the consumption of natural resources. Therefore, it’s crucial to make every effort to reduce both the quantity we use and the costs associated with them. Solvent recovery plays a pivotal role in this regard. Leibinger innovative printer, IQJET, boasts a distinctive Eco-Mode functionality, which automatically hermetically seals the ink circuit when idle, preventing solvent usage. Additionally, it condenses any evaporated solvent and reintroduces it into the system, leading to a reduction of up to 50% in consumption and emissions.
No wasted solvent, no emissions in the air and savings for you.
Does this have a significant impact? We believe it does. Leibinger printers use only 2.7 ml per hour, whereas competitors lacking solvent recovery systems consume between 6 and 10 ml per hour. When you extrapolate this to a 3-shift operation with an average of 6,000 hours per year, we can potentially save you up to 43,800 ml of solvent annually, which would otherwise have evaporated into the environment. That’s indeed a substantial difference.
2. Go for the greenest ink
While you should choose products and consumables that comply with the latest safety and environmental regulations, Leibinger inks are all REACH- and RoHs-compliant, but if you want to go MEK-free (ie using no Methyl Ethyl Ketone), low VOC (volatile organic compounds) inks for further reduction of environmental impact can be offered.
3. Get 100% out of every cartridge
Is this truly impactful? We’re confident it is. Leibinger printers operate at a mere 2.7 ml per hour, while competitors without solvent recovery systems typically consume between 6 and 10 ml per hour. When you project this over a 3-shift operation spanning an average of 6,000 hours per year, we could potentially help you save up to 43,800 ml of solvent annually, which would otherwise have been released into the environment. This represents a significant and meaningful difference.
4. Recycle the cartridges
When your cartridge is completely depleted, and not before, it’s time to dispose of it and replace it with a new one. All empty cartridges should be fully recyclable. Unfortunately, in contrast to IQJET cartridges, numerous printer cartridge competitors cannot be recycled effectively due to the substantial waste volume that remains.
Another significant factor lies in the design of the cartridges themselves and their recyclability. LEIBINGER cartridges are constructed from a single type of plastic (100% PE), simplifying the recycling process. In contrast, many competitors’ cartridges comprise various components such as the housing, interior, and lid, often made from different types of plastics.
5. Choose printers with sustainable components
The same goes for materials used in the manufacture of the printers themselves. Where possible, look for machines with components made of stainless steel or other 100% recyclable materials, rather than plastic which is non-renewable and harder to recycle. The LEIBINGER IQJET has an entirely stainless steel housing and less than 10% of the components are plastic.
6. Go for quality that lasts
The most environmentally-friendly products are those built to withstand the test of time. Leibinger, being the manufacturer of all printers in their Tuttlingen, Germany factory, maintains rigorous quality control, ensuring that their components are designed for durability. Furthermore, when a part eventually needs replacement, they address only that specific part, rather than the entire section (core or module), which is another small but impactful step toward making a difference.
Moreover, products of higher quality demand less maintenance, reducing not only the environmental footprint associated with maintenance activities (like the emissions from service vehicles and technicians’ travel) but also the associated costs and inconveniences. In fact, the new LEIBINGER IQJET printer requires no maintenance for a five-year period, primarily due to its design that minimises wear and tear.
7. Minimise power consumption
While an increasing portion of our power supply is sourced from renewable resources, it’s imperative for all of us to reduce our energy consumption. Besides environmental benefits, conserving energy also translates into cost savings. When possible, opt for printers that provide robust printing performance while minimising power consumption. With a mere 36W rating, the IQJET stands as the most energy-efficient option on the market.
The pursuit of sustainability and the imperative to address climate change may well be the most significant challenge humanity has ever encountered. It’s an immense challenge. However, as individuals, we must also recognise that a multitude of small actions are crucial in driving the substantial change we require.
This is why the little things matter. This is why your next vehicle might be electric. This is why you make the effort to recycle packaging. This is why you reduce central heating usage. And as a production line manager, this is why you carefully consider your printing choices. Result Group is here to assist you in making these choices.
IQJET
The first intelligent coding & marking system
Plug & Print, 5 years maintenance-free and the best TCO values on the market thanks to low consumption of resources – that’s what the LEIBINGER IQJET offers. This intelligent printer ensures undisturbed, carefree work and maximum productivity in your production, because the IQJET simply does what it is supposed to: Printing, printing, printing. More…
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