Heidelberg 'Offsets' Environmental Effects of drupa Exhibit

Published: August 11, 2008

DUSSELDORF, Germany | Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) offset the environmental effects of all print products created at its Drupa exhibit in prepress, press, and postpress during the course of the day on June 5 - World Environment Day. All CO2 emissions generated indirectly on that day were offset by investing in a climate protection project complying with the internationally recognized Gold Standard through the Swiss charitable foundation myclimate. This ensured that unavoidable emissions were offset by climate protection measures elsewhere. In concrete terms, in a region of India, electricity and heat were generated from biomass that was previously burned on the fields as waste. This will benefit the environment and boost the income of local farmers.

The level of CO2 emissions calculated on World Environment Day was based on the amount of paper printed for demonstration purposes (over 70 tons), the total electrical power required by the equipment used (three MWh), printing plates, ink, coatings, alcohol, dampening solution additive, and cleaning agents.

In addition, to encourage printing companies from around the globe to do more for the environment, Heidelberg used Drupa 2008 to invite them to submit entries for the first international environmental award for sustainable sheetfed offset printing. The company has set aside a total prize fund of 50,000 Euro, and printshops can compete in the "Sustainable Companies" and "Forward-Looking Solutions" categories. The environmental award is focused on the sustainable use of resources and energy, climate protection, and environmentally aware business practices.

For more information, visit www.drupa-heidelberg.com, or www.heidelberg.com.