Signs of Sustainability
To put it simply, there is no escaping the subject of sustainability. Whether you are a wide-format print business creating eye-catching pieces for customers across a range of markets, or a sign-maker producing more traditional pieces such as wayfinding signage, customers are on the lookout for more sustainable services when it comes to all manner of signs.
As such, the pressure on sign-makers to deliver this is increasing. Those that do not respond to this are risking getting left behind as their competitors evolve and offer a more environmentally friendly service to clients. Add in that businesses across all markets, not just in the signage world, should be doing their bit in helping to protect the planet, and there is little to be said about taking greener steps in sign-making.
O Factoid: Governments around the world are beginning to implement stricter environmental regulations, including restrictions on certain materials such as PVC O
But what can sign-makers, wide-format print companies, and other businesses do to achieve this? Here, SignLink takes a look at some of the more sustainable materials available within the market and the benefits these offer to those companies seeking a more environmentally friendly future.
Journey Towards Progress
Up first to offer both guidance and potential solutions is Innotech, which provides roll-to-roll digital print media and portable display hardware to the wide-format print industry. Kieran Dallow, group marketing manager at Innotech, explains that there are opportunities everywhere for sign-makers that are ready to embrace change.
“At Innotech, we see the shift towards sustainable materials not as a challenge, but as a journey towards progress,” Dallow says, adding: “While traditional PVC materials have long been the backbone of our industry, it's clear that sustainability is the way forward. Rather than viewing this transition as daunting, for a long time we’ve chosen to see it as an exciting opportunity to lead the charge towards a greener, more sustainable future.
“For sign-makers still reliant on PVC-based products, now is the time to broaden horizons. Familiarise yourself with sustainable alternatives and begin including them in project proposals alongside traditional materials. Not only does this future-proof your business, but it also positions you as a champion of sustainable printing, resonating with increasingly eco-conscious consumers.”
For sign-makers still reliant on PVC-based products, now is the time to broaden horizons”
With this in mind, Dallow highlights the dangers of not paying attention to these trends. He says sign-makers risk missing out on the growing demand for eco-friendly products, adding that as environmental awareness continues to rise among consumers, businesses that fail to offer sustainable alternatives may find themselves losing market share to competitors who do.
He also warned that failure to take action here could ultimately result in adverse regulatory consequences. Governments worldwide are now implementing stricter environmental regulations, including restrictions on the use of certain materials like PVC. While this is not currently the case, Dallow says it is worth preparing ahead of time, so you are not caught out if the regulations suddenly change.
In addition, he says ignoring sustainability undermines corporate social responsibility efforts, potentially damaging a company’s reputation and brand image.
“More and more, consumers, investors, and stakeholders are expecting businesses to prioritise environmental sustainability and ethical practices, Dallow explains, continuing: “Sign-makers who disregard these expectations risk alienating themselves, ultimately harming their long-term viability and success.”
So, how can Innotech help? Dallow says Innotech is committed to providing sustainable alternatives to every PVC-based product in its range and that through “relentless innovation and dedication”, it is well on the way to achieving this goal.
Available from Innotech, Envirotech BIO300 is a biodegradable print media that breaks down naturally over time
Recent innovations at Innotech include Envirotech BIO300 biodegradable print media, which Dallow says offers a “truly eco-friendly alternative” by breaking down naturally over time. It is suitable for use as short-term banners, wall coverings, or stretched canvas frames.
Meanwhile, Dallow explains that materials such as Envirotech PP400 that look and feel like traditional banner materials but are made entirely from polypropylene, which is currently the least harmful material to dispose of, can be helpful for customers.
Innotech offers Envirotech PP400, which looks and feels like a traditional banner material but is made entirely from polypropylene
In addition, he notes the recent UK distributorship of Seemee Loop materials including both front-lit and mesh banners which are made entirely from post-consumer waste materials.
Sustainability Targets
Next, Brett Martin is a global and UK supplier of plastic sheets, rooflights, and plumbing and drainage products, with the former being of most interest to those within the sign-making market. Brett Martin has a long-term commitment to the environment and providing sustainable solutions to the industry, with this reflecting in its growing range of solutions.
“As brands across the globe continue to work towards sustainability targets, switching to more eco-friendly media for signage and POS displays is an easy, effective, and necessary way to decrease their carbon footprint,” Brett Martin says.
“At Brett Martin, we’ve been working proactively for several years to meet this need by manufacturing a range of more sustainable substrates for use in the signage industry.
One of the main opportunities for manufacturing more sustainable substrates lies in bio-attribution. Essentially, the process of substituting traditional fossil-based resins for bio-based resins derived from sustainable sources.”
One of the main opportunities for manufacturing more sustainable substrates lies in bio-attribution”
Last year, Brett Martin introduced its newest bio-attributed plastic sheet in the form of Foamalux Light Bio, a bright white PVC foam board. The stand-out feature of the new solution is that the sheet offers a 20% carbon reduction when compared to its 100% fossil-based predecessor, Foamalux Light.
To reach this carbon reduction figure, 25% bio-attributed material produced from tall oil, a by-product of the wood pulping process from sustainable forestry, is used as a substitute for fossil-based resin. When coupled with 100% renewable energy-powered manufacturing process at Brett Martin, the supplier says this results in a significant carbon footprint reduction.
Similar to this is its polycarbonate flat sheet, Marlon BioPlus, which is manufactured using up to 89% bio-attributed resin produced from recycled cooking oil. Both sheet and resin are manufactured using 100% renewable energy providing a polycarbonate sheet with a carbon saving of over 90% compared to a similar sheet manufactured from 100% fossil-based resin.
“Bio-attribution is still in relative infancy as a manufacturing process for plastic sheets but as more bio-materials become available, the opportunity to provide significantly reduced carbon emission plastic substrates will grow,” Brett Martin adds.
Another option for large-format printers looking to make more planet friendly choices is Kavalan, a range of PVC-free banner and textile materials.
Kavalan first came to market in 2008, with the range having evolved to offer printers access to materials suitable for outdoor and indoor applications ranging from building wraps, billboards and event banners to lightboxes, exhibition materials and wallcoverings.
All Kavalan products have completed Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) that confirm their sustainable performance in comparison to traditional PVC banner materials, including a lower carbon footprint and lower water consumption.
Kavalan is a range of PVC-free banner and textile materials
“The proprietary Kavalan Eco Calculator takes the LCA information and puts insightful and actionable comparable data at the fingertips of print businesses, helping them to demonstrate to their customers the positive impact of switching to PVC-free materials, and win new business on the strength of the environmental transparency they are able to offer,” Kavalan says.
Strengthen Relationships
Also well placed to support in this area is Sign Trade Supplies. Matthew Anderson, managing director at Sign Trade Supplies, says embracing sustainability practically, positively, and effectively should be the strict policy of all companies, particularly sign-makers.
Matthew Anderson managing director at Sign Trade Supplies
“For larger companies, this aligns with the principles of corporate social responsibility, while for smaller sign-makers, prioritising environmental care plays an important role in improving society as a whole,” Anderson explains, adding: “For everyone, this fosters positive connections within the industry and strengthens relationships with customers.
“Sustainability should not be just a current trend or box-ticking exercise. It is a long-term necessity that benefits everyone. Sign-makers and fitters that integrate sustainable practices into their operations are better positioned to meet market demands and regulations, ensuring long-term viability and success as a company, while fostering a greener, more sustainable future for the world.”
Anderson goes on to say that for sign-makers, embracing sustainability is not merely an ethical responsibility; it is essential for maintaining competitiveness, meeting regulatory requirements, ensuring supply chain resilience, reducing costs, and safeguarding brand reputation in an increasingly environmentally conscious marketplace.
“Companies that neglect sustainability within their business and the products they sell may find themselves at a disadvantage in purchasing decisions and risk losing what the industry sees as a competitive advantage,” Anderson comments.
With this, Anderson goes on to say that Sign Trade Supplies offers a range of sustainable signage solutions tailored to meet the needs of environmentally conscious businesses. Options available include low-carbon aluminium extrusions, which include signposts, sign channels, and signage frames, all of which are manufactured using low-carbon aluminium billets.
“Compared to many industry suppliers sourcing from the Far East, our products significantly reduce carbon emissions, making them an environmentally responsible choice,” Anderson says.
Also available from Sign Trade Supplies are solutions with powder coat profile finishes, which come in a wide range of styles. Anderson explains that these are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also increase recyclability and reduce carbon footprint compared to traditional methods, such as PVC lining.
Sign Trade Supplies offers powder coat profile finishes to sign-makers
“With our wood effect finishes, there's no need for a vinyl wrap, allowing for the entire product to be recycled as well as saving time and money on labour,” Anderson says.
“At Sign Trade Supplies, we strive to add value to every business we serve. Our commitment to sustainability is evidence of the hard work we have put in to bring tangible benefits to our customers. Our focus is to ensure sign-makers can meet their requirements while minimising their environmental impact.”
Ongoing Developments
The list of sustainable materials for use in sign-making goes on and on, with a whole host of options available within both the signage and wide-format print markets. To name one of many others, Drytac, a supplier of self-adhesive materials for the large-format print and signage markets, late last year announced the global launch of its new Drytac ReTac Clear PET film in North America.
Initially launched in North America in September 2023, it is now available to Drytac customers in the UK and in markets across Europe. A clear polyester (PET) film with a clear ReTac adhesive, ReTac Clear PET is a non-PVC solution, offering a more environmentally friendly solution to satisfy rising demand for such products from all corners of the market.
As for further development, this area of the industry was recently buoyed by the launch of the new Self-Adhesive Industry Sustainability Action Group (SAISAG). Chaired by Steve Lister, the UK-facing group has a number of major backers such as Antalis and William Smith, all of which are dedicated to providing more sustainable products for self-adhesive work.
“We’ll be working to understand where the gaps are in the lifecycle of these products,” Chris Green, director of visual communications at Antalis, says adding: “End-of-life is one of the trickiest to pin down, so we need to make sure that recycling options are clear and accessible.
“It’s important to also recognise that there has to be a bit of pragmatism and accepting of imperfection because there isn’t yet a full suite of sustainable alternatives to all products.”
This launch underlines the key message here: sign-makers and wide-format printers are safe in the knowledge that even more environmentally focused products are making their way to market, offering them, and indeed their customers, even more choice when it comes to sustainable work.
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