DuPont, Boise Cascade and MicroGREEN have entered into a marketing alliance represented by Elementum Partnership (www.elementumpartnership.com) to provide one-stop access to a bundle of sustainable products for retail, brand owners and their printers.

The partnership, consisting of DuPont, Hexacomb (a Boise Cascade company) and MicroGREEN, domestically manufactures sustainable graphic communications media, which offer “green through science not marketing” alternatives for signage and other In-Store environments.

Historically, adoption of sustainable alternatives has been challenging and not always cost competitive. The challenge in converting to more sustainable raw material alternatives In-Store has boiled down to access and price. Through rethinking the support for adoption process by the supply chain, Elementum Partnership sustainable media suppliers believe this partnership will provide ease of adoption and affordable cost for sustainable advocates inside retailers and brands.

DuPont Vivia, a PVC-free banner material offers a closed loop recycling partnership with Waste Management.
Hexacomb, a Boise Cascade company, produces FalconBoard - a rigid foamboard alternative, which is greener, flatter and stronger with a high white point and is curbside recyclable.
MicroGREEN's InCycle, made with recycled water bottle post-consumer content, utilizes 80% less source material, is 100% recyclable as #1 PET. InCycle is a polystyrene alternative that can also function extremely well for backlit applications.

Quotes:

David McGrath, Managing Director of the Elementum Partnership states “this is an exciting time for the sustainable community. We see and hear the sustainable advocates in the brands and retailers wanting and specifying change. Now we need to support them by facilitating the adoption with retailers and printers by helping remove the technical and logistic obstacles within the supply chain. Distribution is more challenging for sustainable solutions. It becomes a chicken and egg game inside the distribution channel.”

DuPont
"Through this unique alliance, retailers now have better access to an array of print media that meet their quality and performance requirements, and will help them achieve their sustainability goals. DuPont(TM) Tyvek(R) Vivia(TM) products were previously available through select printers. Elementum will help expand the marketplace so those retailers who seek outstanding printability in a recyclable sign and banner material will have a reliable, ready source for this family of products -- as well as a recycling program that best meets their needs."

MicroGREEN:
Tom Malone, CEO MicroGREEN Polymers Inc: “We feel that by participating in the Elementum partnership we are helping to satisfy a customer need, providing a more sustainable alternative substrate at a very competitive price. This partnership provides the foundation for printers to offer their customers a truly ‘deep green’ solution when combined with sustainable printing practices, while still enhancing their bottom line, truly “doing well by doing good.”

Marci Kinter: Vice President - Government & Business Information, SGIA and Chair of the Board, Sustainable Green Printing Partnership Program "The launching of this partnership fills a void for the graphic communications market seeking sustainable choices as they move to implement responsible sourcing programs. These companies walk the walk, as each has made the continuing commitment to support the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership Program."