By Melissa Donovan
Part 2 of 2
The first part in this series detailed various rigid media considered “green”. To continue our product roundup, this article looks into various flexible materials with eco-friendly characteristics.
ASLAN
The call for more sustainable products is increasing significantly in the sign making and digital printing industries. Many large companies are committed to reducing their ecological footprint. The answer to the question of PVC-free products and solutions is often PP or PET. ASLAN has decided to increase the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET.
PCR is the recycling of plastics from household or commercial waste. A large part of which—60 percent—is packaging and is thus kept in a closed material cycle. Using recycled plastics reduces fossil raw material use, CO2 emissions, and the volume of waste. Thus, ASLAN’s range of LoopPET materials is in line with the general trend towards more ecology and sustainability.
Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions
Avery Dennison offers a combination of eco-friendly film options to meet PVC-free and REACH compliant specifications. Avery Dennison MPI 1405 is a PVC-free premium gloss opaque film designed for use on textured wall surfaces such as brick and cinder block applications. MPI 1405 provides superior conformability to irregular surfaces such as compound curves and corrugations and features the Easy Apply and Easy Apply RS adhesive technology, which offers the benefits of repositionability and reduced wrinkling during the application process.
Combine MPI 1405 with one of the Avery Dennison PVC-free digital overlaminates DOL 6460 Clear Gloss or DOL 6470 Clear Luster for abrasion resistance, film conformability, and color durability. DOL 6460 film features a synthetic liner that creates a super smooth high-gloss finish to give an overall paint like effect for printed graphics.
Beaver Paper
TexStyles NatureSeries soft knit dye-sublimation (dye-sub) fabric is a new line of textiles made with cutting-edge sustainable technology—CiCLO fibers. Fabrics made with CiCLO fibers help reduce ocean pollution and textile accumulation in landfills.
CiCLO is an additive introduced during melt extrusion of the yarn manufacturing process. Embedded in the fiber, CiCLO provides nutrients that attract microbes and allow them to break down the CiCLO additive and surrounding polyester polymer. NatureSeries fabric with CiCLO will biodegrade at the same rate as a natural fiber like wool when placed in landfills, unlike the significantly longer time for traditional polyester.
Beaver Paper NatureSeries fabric made with CiCLO is a sustainable alternative for soft knit dye-sub. Beaver Paper was one of the first companies in the world to develop a soft signage fabric with CiCLO technology, and continues to push to develop backlit and heavy knit smooth fabrics utilizing CiCLO technology.
Continental Grafix USA, Inc.
Continental Grafix has embraced the growing trend toward more environmentally friendly and sustainable digital print media by developing an ever-increasing portfolio of recyclable PVC-alternatives to traditional PVC-based wall, window, and floor films. These products are engineered with an eye toward environmental stewardship and performance and offer equal or greater quality to traditional counterparts.
Becoming more sought-after in the market, the product line includes perforated and unperforated window film—panoRama Green and panoRama Film, iTacGreen, iTac Clear, and new iTac White; optically-clear overlaminate—panoRama Green Laminate; and wall and floor films—NatureWalk, FoilWalk, and FoilScape. Its journey toward sustainability is ongoing and the portfolio of environmentally friendly products continues to expand to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
Drytac
Drytac Zero is a comprehensive approach to providing environmentally designed products and limiting the lasting damage to our planet. One product is Polar PET 170 2021.
FDC Graphic Films, Inc.
FDC Graphic Films offers a variety of eco-friendly products from some of the top-reliable brands in the industry. Some 3M products are PVC-free and many 3M DI-NOC Architectural Finishes films contribute to LEED credits. Over 15 Lumina by FDC sign vinyl, digital print media, and heat transfer vinyl products are PVC-free. As well as the Siser heat transfer vinyl products carried and some ASLAN products. All Lumina by FDC heat transfer vinyl products are OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 labeled. And Lumina by FDC 7420 Print Media: Paper is FSC-certified.
Flexcon
Flexcon produces several non-PVC products for wide format applications. These include Flexcon WindowDeco polyolefins that are phthalate-free and comply with CONEG and CPSIA, and Flexcon WallDeco polycoated fabric for wall graphics with a high-end look. Durable polypropylene options are available as part of the Flexcon NexGen line for consumer durables and transportation, as well as Flexcon DrumCal for hazardous container labeling. For packaging, the full line of FLEXcon optiFLEX ecoFOCUS products enhances PET and HDPE container recyclability. In addition, Flexcon is actively involved in leading sustainability organizations such as the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, the Association of Plastic Recyclers, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, AIM North America, and CELAB.
FloorSignage, LLC
AlumiGraphics by FloorSignage is a reliable and durable foil-based, sustainable wide format print media for walkways and walls. Applied indoors or outdoors, Alumigraphics provides easy, no heat installation saving time and money. AlumiGraphics’ foil-based material easily conforms to rough, uneven surfaces, providing a painted-on appearance. Use AlumiGraphics Smooth on brick, cinder blocks, or other rigid walls, ideal for wayfinding, murals, and advertising. AlumiGraphics Grip is designed for outside walkways like sidewalks, asphalt, and concrete, ideal for curb management, stadium aisle markings, wayfinding, branding, and event promotion. AlumiGraphics material is slip-resistant safe and weather durable. AlumiGraphics does not contain hazardous ingredients or PVC, making it easily recyclable and a great sustainable choice.
General Formulations
Step beyond the world of PVC with eco-friendly options from General Formulations. Whether it’s with synthetic paper or polyester print films, non-PVC laminates, or the luxurious look of GF 234 GraphiTex for wall murals and decals. Polyester materials include white, clear, metallized chrome and gold, and are available with a range of permanent and removable adhesives.
HP Large Format Media
HP is committed to offering solutions that can make it easier to reduce the environmental impact of printing. The environmentally certified print media includes recyclable and FSC-certified papers, REACH Compliant media, and media that carries the CE mark and the UKCA certification, assuring adherence to environmental requirements. All HP PVC-free Wall Papers are certified safe for sensitive environments such as schools and hospitals with UL GREENGUARD Gold using FSC-certified paper. HP Recycled Removable Adhesive Fabric is made from recycled water bottles and coating materials.
KODAK Wide-Format Media
KODAK has been in the imaging business for over 140 years, has photographed the surface of the moon, and continues to meet the challenges and opportunities of the print industry. KODAK published its sustainability report, One World, One KODAK, which affirms and measures its achievements and goals in driving environmental and social sustainability. KODAK has a portfolio of FSC-certified papers demonstrating its commitment to supporting sustainable printing practices.
Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.
Monadnock’s substrates ensure efficient operations and vibrant, photo-quality results. Available in convenient digital sizes, its solutions are ideal for businesses prioritizing environmental responsibility without compromising on aesthetic appeal or performance.
Monadnock offers an alternative to vinyl substrates for retail/hospitality environments as well as residential wallcovering. Envi Wallgraphics is available with up to 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled fiber.
Pulp Art Surfaces
Pulp Art Surfaces’ Simple Walls Decorative faux brick interior dimensional wall panels are made from 100 percent recycled material. Enhance your space, accent your room(s), and simply bring your walls to life. The company created a simple, easy-to-use product that can transform an interior space in just hours. The brick wall panel is available in several color choices, it’s easy to use, lightweight, and provides realistic detail.
Quality Media & Laminating Solutions (QMLS)
QMLS offers a range of eco-friendly products for many applications. For short-term banners, it offers Quality Ecobanner—an ultra-strong, ultra-light banner crafted from recycled polypropylene fibers. Versatile in its applications, it can be rolled, folded, grommeted, or sewn, offering durability at around half the cost of traditional coated scrim banners. Plus, this can be placed in the recycle bin when it’s time to discard.
For wallcovering, the new DreamScape Duralon Suede, a durable non-PVC wallcovering, that is an olefin-based alternative to standard vinyl. Duralon provides commercial-grade quality without sacrificing performance.
For window graphics, look no further than Lintec Digital Window Graphics ECO-2000ZC—a 2-mil optically clear polyester boasting exceptional clarity, dimensional stability, and printability. What sets it apart? The polyester face film contains a minimum of 80 percent recycled content, ensuring both environmental responsibility and superb adhesion with UV-curable inks.
Roland DGA Corp.
Roland DGA’s eco-friendly media offerings include WallFlair Removable Vinyl (ESM-WFRV)—a premium-quality, 6-mil matte calendered vinyl with a special removable acrylic adhesive that’s compatible with eco-solvent, resin/latex, and UV inks. WallFlair is GREENGUARD Gold certified and ideal for a variety of interior applications variety of interior applications, including wallcoverings and murals, POP displays, posters and presentations, and trade show graphics. In addition, it adheres well to flat, painted wall surfaces, and most types of wallpaper and wood panels. WallFlair is simple to install, and with its clear, removable adhesive, this media can be removed easily without leaving any messy residue.
Saint Clair Textiles
Saint Clair Textiles is a French manufacturer of eco-friendly fabrics for the graphics industry with a full stocking warehouse located in GA. Its Evergreen Collection features the PVC-Free Jet Tex Wallcovering, which is made in 126-inch widths for seamless wall murals. It offers this material in the original Classic and Comfort, which is Type II certified for hotels, restaurants, office buildings, and hospitals. Jet Tex is designed to not stretch or shrink and offers an elegant alternative to vinyl. The Jet Up brand is well known for curl-free, eco-friendly, interior banners for retail spaces. All Evergreen materials are Greenguard Gold, Oeko-Tex 100, REACH Compliant, and PFAS Free.
UFabrik
The UFabrik textiles range is designed for multiple market applications including backlit and frontlit displays, blockout, backdrops, wall wraps, banners, flags, canopies, tents, and gazebos. It includes proven eco-responsible certified textiles derived from recycled post-consumer waste and offers vibrant color reproduction and high-quality performance. The variety of materials, attractive price point, and sustainable focus have made UFabrik a highly popular choice for retail, exhibitions, and events, providing 95 percent of all applications required by these market sectors. All products meet the required health and safety, fire, and environmental standards. Available in 126- and 198-inch widths, UFabrik is compatible with UV, latex, and dye-sub technologies from leading global brands.
Ultraflex Systems, Inc.
A leader in the industry, Ultraflex offers digitally printable sustainable substrates that reduce natural resource consumption, promote material reuse, and reduce waste. Its sustainable product solutions are 100 percent PVC-free, phthalate-free, and can be recycled (recyclable under PET code #1) or safely incinerated without releasing harmful toxins.
EcoVantage solves the growing need for environmentally conscious substrates as ink and printer manufacturers develop sustainable and environmentally-friendly products. A range of applications is available using EcoVantage products, including outdoor banners, point of sale materials, and retail displays.
ReSource is a line of textiles made from GRS-certified recycled yarn. ReSource products contain bright white points to help produce deep, vibrant colors and are ideal for various applications, such as trade show displays, backlit signage, and silicone edge graphics (SEG).
XCEL
XCEL focuses on being an industry leader in driving a sustainable future for the print industry. The ECOTEC line offers several flexible medias that are PVC-free and recyclable while EcoMedia blockout banner is composed of recycled content and recyclable. ACTION magnet and SEG frames are both fully recyclable.
More Companies
For a list of even more companies that offer sustainable-minded media, visit the Target Chart section and look for a recent chart published in our May 2024 print issue.
May2024, Digital Output
