A pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, Asahi Photoproducts, has achieved Carbon Neutral Certification in partnership with the Carbon Trust for its AWP-DEW CleanPrint water-washable flexographic plates in compliance with PAS 2060. This certification is renewed on a regular basis; with each renewal period, carbon reduction requirements escalate, with the goal of reducing the actual carbon footprint of the certified product, from sourcing raw materials through packing and shipping the product, its use at the customer site, and its disposition at end of life.
“We are proud to have achieved this important milestone in our sustainability journey,” said Dieter Niederstadt, Asahi Photoproducts Technical Marketing Manager. “
A key element of the Carbon Neutral certification process is accountability, both to ensure actual compliance with the relevant standards and to avoid any appearance of greenwashing. In addition, driving this type of major change in an organization requires changing the mindset of people in research and development, product management and more. “At Asahi Photoproducts,” Dieter added, “we have been producing water-washable flexo plates since 1973 in the form of APR liquid resin plates for corrugated board, still till today the most environmentally balanced solution in flexographic plate making. And today, we have the full support of our parent company, Asahi Kasei, in creating the necessary cultural change to ensure we achieve even more balance in our flexographic products.”