DuPont Packaging Graphics’ installation of two thermal processing systems at Wisconsin-based Bemis Graphics has helped cut the facility’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent.
DuPont’s Cyrel Fast 3000TD offers a 53 percent savings in greenhouse gas generation and a 63 percent reduction in non-renewable energy consumption compared to solvent processing, based on a life cycle assessment by DuPont.
The Cyrel Fast is a plate making system that uses dry, thermal technology to process high quality photopolymer plates, which eliminates all solvents and aqueous solutions from the plate room.
Bemis Graphics had previously used a solvent-based plate making system. As that system neared the end of its useful life, the company was also approaching the emission limits established by the state environmental regulatory agency. Since the move to the DuPont system, solvent emissions are no longer a concern.
The equipment change works well for the company as it is pursuing a number of sustainability initiatives. In 2010 it set goals for 2020 of reducing electricity and fuel use by 10 percent, reducing solvent intensity use by 20 percent, achieving zero waste to landfill and zero process water discharge. Bemis is also a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
Bemis Graphics includes 17 printing facilities and is part of Bemis Company, the largest flexible packaging company in the Americas.
According to a 2012 study conducted by Packaging World and DuPont, sustainability will replace cost as one of the packaging industry’s major challenges within 10 years.
DuPont has been working for some time to assist packaging companies in their sustainability efforts. In 2012, DuPont introduced an online modeling tool designed to help packaging engineers and designers identify the most appropriate sealant and research new ways to handle tough sealing challenges.
Earlier this year DuPont Sustainable Solutions launched an operational excellence service to help companies improve financial performance by increasing productivity and asset uptime, while also improving quality, human safety and environmental footprint.
