manroland's EcoLogic program pursues the goal of environment-friendly print production, both in North America and overseas.  After earning the "Emissions Tested" certificate, the ROLAND 900XXL press meets the strict criteria of BG Druck und Papier, known as the Employers' Liability Insurance Association of the Printing and Paper Processing Industry. And, in Pittsburgh, FSC certification and a complete recycling program are attracting new customers for Knepper Press.

Users of manroland printing systems can produce both ecologically and    economically in existing and new facilities.  Knepper Press finished construction of a new, state-of-the-art 100,000 square-foot facility in late 2008.  With the building came an opportunity to maximize operational efficiency that extends beyond their ROLAND 710 Hi-Print sheetfed press and ROTOMAN web press, the first full web press in western Pennsylvania in over 30 years.

"We recycle all of our paper, ink and aluminium 100 percent, as well as recycle our solvent," said Ted Ford, who partners with Bill Knepper to run the Pittsburgh area company.  "We also buy credits for wind energy since print buyers wanted to promote our using wind power to print packages and promotional materials.  When we decided to build this facility, it was designed to be LEED certified and we are working towards that goal."

By receiving the Emissions Tested certificate, manroland once again firmly anchors and documents central aspects of sustained environment protection for the products outlined in the company's corporate guidelines.  At drupa 2008, the    ROLAND 200, ROLAND 500, ROLAND 700 AND ROLAND 900 received the "Emissions Tested" certificate from BGDP.  With the assistance of the Gieseking Printing Company in Bielefeld, Germany, the ROLAND 900XXL successfully passed this test as well.

"It is our policy to invest early in innovative strategies which benefit our customers most of all," said Managing Director Thomas Gieseking.  As a pioneer in low-emission print production, Technical Manager Gerhard Heidsiek explains: "Here we take our responsibilities very seriously.  We are developing environment-compatible production step-by-step, and continuity is an important factor."

The "Emissions Tested" certificate for sheetfed offset presses is issued by BG Druck und Papier in Wiesbaden, Germany.  They verify by measurements that the following emissions are well below the permissible limit values or recommendations that apply to individual countries in Europe.  These include washing agents, damping solution, coating and ink mist, spray powder, ozone (with UV presses), UV radiation (with UV presses) and noise.  The tests are based on various EG directives.  After tests are completed and individual parameter values are established, the 5-year certificate is issued.

Certification brings financing advantages
The practical benefits of low-emission certification confirm that operators of the ROLAND 900XXL are not exposed to health hazards.  With printing and paper processing, various emissions such as noise, radiation, dust and solvent vapors are unavoidable.  Highly developed, low-emission presses play a key role in reducing these problems.  Printing companies can produce jobs for print buyers who insist on ecological added value.

The Gieseking Printing Company, established over 100 years ago, produces  packaging, books, literature and general commercial printing mainly for customers in Germany, ranging from the food industry to manufacturers of home entertainment products.  The printer won a German Printing Industry Innovation Award in 2006 and is already well advanced in environment-friendly production.

"On our older press we print alcohol-reduced, but on the new ROLAND 900XXL, we print up to 50 percent packaging and displays alcohol-free," Heidsiek said.  "Many of our customers are producers of brand-name goods so we must meet the highest standards of color fidelity.  This is why we are always striving to get even better. Right now we are testing new inks with manroland and these include the printcom inks.  We have to make sure our printers, sales staff and customers  understand the benefits of alcohol-free printing and get rid of any prejudices."