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Product category: Printing Presses and Machinery (New and Used, Service and Repair)
News Release from: KBA | Subject: Rapida 74G press with keyless Gravuflow inking
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial Team on 03 October 2007

Waterless Press Helps Environmental
Programme

One of KBA's waterless Rapida 74G presses with keyless Gravuflow inking units is helping a Swiss printer achieve its integrated on-site conservation programme.

According to KBA, Lutz in in Speicher deploys technology as a fundamental part of maintaining the company's competitiveness and fulfilling its environmental management based on sustainability Following the introduction in 2000 of an incentive tax on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Switzerland and the lowering of emission thresholds, Lutz conducted analysed the potential risks and rewards associated with waterless and keyless Gravuflow inking technology

Won over by the ecological and economic benefits, in 2004 Lutz became the first company in Switzerland to invest in a Rapida 74G five-colour coater press, added KBA.

Lutz managing director, Heini Lutz, commented: "For us, the future of our natural environment is a core factor.

With a number of new investments we have made unique advances towards ecologically responsible production.

And ecology will remain a key factor in future decision-making." He added: "Our green credentials and emerging trends in the government's environmental policy were what motivated us to adopt this new technology to be prepared well in advance for more rigorous legislation in the future.

Without innovative technology, environmental conservation is virtually unthinkable." And Heini Lutz explained: "What's more, we can offer our customers value-added products and differentiate ourselves from our competitors.

Above all, the Rapida 74G gives us much greater flexibility in four-colour commercial production and allows us to offer quick delivery of top-quality products.

Fast make-readies and a low level of start-up waste enhance cost efficiency, particularly during short-run production." Four-colour work accounts for most of the company's output and print runs range from 150 to 20,000 sheets.

KBA said that the waterless and keyless Gravuflow inking technology provides clear cost and environmental gains compared to conventional offset and it also offers users the attraction of market potential and fresh opportunities for securing a sustainable competitive edge.

With the creation of an ecolabel, EPS (eco-printing system) which is claimed to be unique in Switzerland, Lutz has established quality-conscious and environmentally responsible print production in Switzerland.

The German press manufacturer said that the dominant cost factor in the manufacturing industry is generally the procurement of raw materials, consumables and supplies, not their disposal Waterless, keyless Gravuflow inking, by dispensing with fount solution and dampening additives, reduces the cost of consumables.

Further potential for cost savings and cost-efficiency enhancement is the more economic consumption of natural resources provided by a volume of start-up waste that can be as much as 90 per cent lower than with a conventional press.

Hazardous substances, unproductive waste and emissions are all minimised in keeping with a more efficient environmental policy, explained KBA.

Under the Swiss VOC directive, the current tax exemption for machine installations with emissions substantially higher than the thresholds stipulated in the LRV (Luftreinhalte-Verordnung or clean air act) will expire at the end of 2008 (an incentive tax of three Swiss francs per kg VOC has applied since January 2003).

For the print media industry, which is seeking to reduce its emissions but cannot yet dispense with VOCs entirely, that could entail much higher costs, believes KBA.

"One of our prime environmental goals is the ongoing reduction of IPA.

Ultimately that means a move away from fount solution," stressed Heini Lutz.

"Our goal is to produce environmentally friendly print.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which is a universally valid seal of approval for ecologically sustainable forestry products, enables us to ensure that the paper we consume is sourced from sustainable forests and helps prevent the clear-cutting of endangered trees." And he added: "At the same time customers are also demanding the use of eco-stock for brochures, business forms and other printed items so as to communicate their environmental credentials." KBA added that in every business enterprise energy is consumed at any number of locations in the form of heat, compressed air, lighting or the operation of plant and machinery.

At Lutz, heat recovery systems help provide energy to heat the premises and that allows the company to dispense almost entirely with fossil fuels.

And the press manufacturer explained that the economic utilisation of water is well worthwhile on two counts, because charges are incurred for the supply of fresh water and the disposal of waste.

Dispensing with fount solution and dampening additives in offset production not only reduces the outlay on fresh water and IPA but also the high cost of disposal for hazardous liquid waste.

At the same time that reduces the volume of problem waste generated and improves on-site waste management. Request a free brochure from KBA ...

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