Heidelberg Eco Printing award 2011: Druckstudio one of the world’s most eco-friendly print shops

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The Druckstudio Group in Düsseldorf has been crowned one of the world’s twelve most eco-friendly print companies by an independent international panel of judges at the ceremony for the Heidelberg ECO Printing Award 2011. The judges’ positive assessment is confirmation that Druckstudio’s comprehensive approach to sustainability in environmental, economic and social areas is not a passing trend but a factor to which the company has been actively committed for many years. The award ceremony took place at the Print Media Academy in Heidelberg on 6 July 2011.

2672173_heidelbergecoprintingaward2011Druckstudio GmbH, with its integrated approach focused on sustainability, competed for the Heidelberg ECO Printing Award in the “Sustainable companies” category and was one of twelve short-listed nominees. “To be one of the world’s most eco-friendly companies is a major accolade for us,” said Werner Drechsler, Managing Director of the Druckstudio Group. “It shows us that by embracing the concept of sustainability in environmental, economic and social terms, we have been pursuing an approach that has proven itself thanks to its firm focus on the future.”
Druckstudio impressed the judges with its double-digit year-on-year sales growth, completely eco-friendly operation, sustainably produced print products, a corporate culture geared towards getting involved and taking responsibility and a variety of sponsorship activities at regional level. Over the last six years, Druckstudio has implemented targeted measures such as using energy-efficient lighting, switching to green electricity and installing a photovoltaic system. These initiatives stem in part from its involvement in the City of Düsseldorf’s Ökoprofit project. As a result of installing a heat recovery system on the presses, the company no longer needs fuel oil, for instance. These measures have not only helped Druckstudio cut CO2 by 485 metric tons a year but also make it a model of sustainability in the print media industry. In terms of the two main CO2 emitters – heating and electricity – Druckstudio GmbH is carbon-neutral. “Sustainability is given top priority in all areas of our company,” says Drechsler. “It isn’t simply just prescribed by management – all employees pull together.”
There were two criteria that were key in the judges reaching their decision – the company’s commitment to sustainability and the high standard of environmental protection in its operations. The panel was made up of representatives from independent institutions such as WWF Germany, INTERGRAF (International confederation for printing & allied industries) and the IFEU (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research).
Entries for the ECO Printing Award were submitted from all over the world. “The entries show that customers are integrating economic success, environmental responsibility and significantly increased social commitment in corporate sustainability management,” explained Stephan Plenz, Member of the Management Board responsible for Heidelberg Equipment at the award ceremony held at the Print Media Academy. The ceremony also included a discussion forum with all shortlisted companies to encourage the sharing of information and ideas on sustainability.