Scodix, a provider of digital embellishment solutions for the graphic arts industry, has announced its completion of a life cycle assessment (LCA), detailing a comprehensive comparison of its process against traditional print embellishment and the impact on environment, the company said.
Conducted by independent third parties, EcamRicert srl and Mérieux NutriSciences Companies, the LCA results highlight that the Scodix enhancement method achieves a reduction in impact and an improvement overall in sustainability for all the categories investigated.
The LCA compared the enhancement of a single B1 sheet through to 100,000 B1 sheets using Scodix foil (175g) with traditional foiling methods. The LCA results showed that Scodix’ technology reduces CO2e (CO2 equivalent) by 85%, fossil fuel usage by close to 85% and water consumption by 80% per B1 sheet, in comparison to traditional hot stamp foiling.
“Scodix is very proud to have achieved these remarkable Life Cycle Assessment results,” says Mark Nixon, Scodix EVP Global Sales & Marketing. “For many companies and brands an LCA Statement of Position is now a requirement for winning certain contracts. As such, it was important we attain a Life Cycle Assessment from a credible body, so businesses can confidently invest in Scodix technology to provide leading brands and print buyers with a greener print embellishment process.
“Data-driven sustainability benchmarking is crucial for not only the CPG industry but is increasingly becoming a need from all print buyers, so we were keen to go beyond the assessment and pursue an LCA study to compare processes. The results of the study were even more impressive and verify how our innovative printing methods reduce the impact on the environment when compared to traditional methods.”
The LCA study says the impacts on the environment mainly arise from electricity use, the production of polymer and the management of waste. The Scodix method of enhancement does not use water, does not require metal-type molds or processes in pre-print production of harmful chemicals, which results in a reduction of energy and natural materials, as well as a reduction in the carbon footprint.
As a result, Scodix’ method leads to efficiency improvements throughout both consumption and impact to the environment, when compared to traditional printing.
Nixon adds, “At Scodix, our mission is to give our customers the tools to add impact to print through enhancement and embellishment. Now we can assure our customers that not only are they getting top-quality embellishment, but the production economics and sustainability impact with Scodix beats traditional processes. By choosing Scodix digital enhancement, but they’re also making a sustainable choice.”
