CELLOGLAS: industry innovators proving green is the new black

Celloglas outlines the benefits of CelloGreen®, an environmentally-friendly laminate that it launched earlier this year.

Celloglas is one of the older kids on the printing block, established over 50 years ago, but with dynamic directors at the forefront today, is set to re-introduce itself.

Specialists in decorative print finishing, the company has always led from the front, with innovation, and ambition, but this year that drive is even stronger.

Now run by the directors who have grown with the business, Celloglas has a fresh vibrancy and renewed passion for developing and creating print finishing products. Remember the ‘Designer’s Will Not Be Prosecuted’ handbook? A new one is on it’s way to further tease, tempt and inspire readers to experiment with weird and wonderful effects.

Exciting Times

Never ones to stand still, and indeed, as usual ahead of the times, this year has seen the launch of CelloGreen® the environmentally friendly alternative to laminate. A move that reflects the changing demands of the public, and in turn designers and printers, CelloGreen® sees the company come full circle after half a century of manufacturing OPP, to now also providing an alternative for businesses looking to go green.

The front cover of this issue has been produced in CelloGreen® - it looks no different to usual, but this means the magazine can now be recycled to help cut down on non eco-waste, something many magazine houses are committing to.

Get Responsible – Go Green

The environmental threats generated by business cannot be ignored and, in response to the government’s call for commitment to protecting natural resources, with CelloGreen® comes an easy way for companies to be proactive in their approach, through making a simple change to their printed materials.

It looks the same, it feels the same, it near enough costs the same, so why wouldn’t you switch? This is the question being posed to businesses, and it’s evident that once aware of the options, the changeover really is a matter of course.

The eco-print laminate has already been utilised by leading brands such as HSBC, who have been quick on the uptake of committing to using sustainable products.

Simply Recyclable – WOOD VS PLASTIC

What impact does CelloGreen® have when it comes to waste collection? An over lamination film and adhesive that is sustainable and recyclable, CelloGreen® brings with it simplified waste handling and reduced disposal costs.

Using a film and adhesive that are suitable for processing in a normal re-pulping system, any waste or side trims can be handled with general printer waste, collected and sent for recycling, saving time sorting and separating waste on the shop floor and reducing the amount of materials sent to landfill.

Another question is, how long does it take to biodegrade? The answer is that the film is DIN EN 13432 accredited, which is the internationally recognised standard for compostability and biodegradation. Breakdown of film is therefore approximately eight weeks.

Reacting to Change

Steve Middleton, Sales and Marketing Director at Celloglas says: “We are delighted with the uptake we have had on this product and very encouraged by the amount of customers looking to find out more. I have spent a lot of time visiting clients, filling them in on CelloGreen®, as many businesses are now under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, and this is a quick, easy way to have an instant impact. This can’t be a passing fad, Green is here to stay, and CelloGreen® is now offered as an alternative to OPP wherever possible.”

“The Government’s view that ‘the polluter pays’ will see increasing legislation and rising costs associated with landfill in the months and years ahead, so it really is key for clients to adopt new practices now. With CelloGreen® there is no compromise on quality or appearance – in fact it looks identical, but illustrates a company’s commitment to sustainability, as well as saving them money”.

Affordable

Thanks to a strong relationship between Celloglas and its partners, being environmentally friendly through CelloGreen® will not come at a great cost, as Celloglas has committed to keeping the premium very low, contrary to popular belief that ‘green products’ are much more expensive.

The system behind CelloGreen®

With refined wood pulp at the heart of this film, the environmental issues are checked at every stage. The timber used is harvested from SFI-managed forests (SFI is the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and is the North American equivalent to FSC), where full consideration is given to wildlife, the eco system and the landscape in which the trees are grown.

In comparison OPP, with its source rooted in petroleum, has taken 35 million years and significant processing and distillation before it can be laminated once, discarded and ploughed into the subsoil as landfill forever.

Further advantages are also inherent, as CelloGreen® is classified in the paper and board category, in view of its cellulosic base, therefore its levy is lower than other thermoplastic films, which are classified as plastics.

Cultivated responsibly for 25 years, harvested and processed in a low impact system, from a sustainable resource, after use CelloGreen® can then easily be recycled, to feed back into the ecology system.

The base film used in CelloGreen® manufacture has recently been accredited with DIN EN 13432 so is now also internationally recognised for its compostability and biodegradation standards. CelloGreen® is currently exclusive to Celloglas.

Celloglas Doesn’t Just Laminate!

Whilst laminating it does, and does very well, it’s only right to highlight the fact that there’s a whole host of other services also at customers’ disposal.

Recent interesting projects include providing large format mirriboard for a Harry Potter bus ad; creating a bespoke cover for the Guinness Book of Records, and the Launch of Sky HD with two million laminated and spot uv varnished sheets- all on budget and on deadline.

Driven by a passion to deliver everimproving customer service, quality is always the utmost priority, and the team works to exceptionally high standards.

Celloglas loves a challenge and can make what might seems like the impossible happen – creativity is the key.

Offer for print buyers

Book a chat with one of Celloglas’ team for further inspirational ideas and you’ll receive the next “Designers Will Not Be Prosecuted” handbook (RRP £15.99), out this autumn.

Log onto www.celloglas.co.uk or email Yvonne.Parks@celloglas.co.uk or call 0118 9445 530.

Celloglas has 15 sites in Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Gloucester, Leicester, Birmingham, Essex, Kent, Theale, London, Reading, Dorset.