Sustainability Watch - November 2011

Toray Plastics Launches Solar Farm

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.—Toray Plastics (America), Inc., has completed the construction of a $2 million, 445 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) farm on its 70-acre campus in North Kingstown, R.I. The new, three-acre solar farm is the largest in the state, consists of 1,650 PV panels, and will generate 625 megawatt hours (MWhr) a year, curbing escalating energy costs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 340 tons per year.

On September 29, Rick Schloesser, president and CEO, Toray Plastics, hosted the inauguration ceremony and officially launched the highly efficient renewable-energy system. In attendance to celebrate the achievement were a number of dignitaries including Lincoln D. Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island. Governor Chafee congratulated Toray on its environmental consciousness, its role as a "great corporate citizen," and its commitment to manufacturing in Rhode Island and creating good jobs for state residents.

Schloesser said that it was an exciting day for Toray as the company began harnessing the power of the sun. "This farm has been a dream of Toray Plastics America, and a personal one of mine, for the past three years. Its completion is a tribute to how government and business can come together to work toward a mutual goal."

UV Flexo 
Renewable Inks

WILLSTATT, Germany—Flint Group's BioCure F™ has been introduced globally in response to market demands for an ink system developed with bio-renewable raw materials that also maintain key properties of other state-of-the-art UV Flexo ink systems.

"We have been asked by leading converters, who in turn have been asked by consumer product companies, to develop a UV Flexo ink that rivals robust UV Flexo technology but that is also developed with bio-renewable materials," says Tom Hammer, product manager Flint Group Narrow Web. "We feel that BioCure F shows Flint Group's ongoing commitment to develop greener, more sustainable products to help support the market's environmental requirements."

Sustainability at drupa

CHICAGO—With the title of "Media Mundo @ drupa," a special exhibit on sustainability is planned at drupa 2012, print media trade fair, to be held from May 3-16, 2012 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Fachverband Medienproduktioner e.V. created the international industry initiative Media Mundo, and in cooperation with Messe Düsseldorf, will be responsible its implementation. It will include information, live discussions, and presentations from a range of experts and industry players during the two weeks of the trade fair.

"The sustainable production of media is not just a sign of responsible behavior, but both a future model and an innovation motor," explained Manuel Mataré, project director of drupa 2012. "For this reason, it is important to us that the topic of sustainability is an integral part of drupa 2012." pP