Kennesaw, GA - In response to increasingly stringent environmental regulations, many printers are taking steps to limit their emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To help printers achieve these lower limits, Heidelberg USA is pleased to announce the Bio line of press consumables, including Saphira Bio Press Wash and Saphira Bio Ink. The new products are the latest to join Heidelberg's extensive line of competitively priced, premium consumable products, as well as the most recent evidence of Heidelberg's industry-leading dedication to sustainability.
 
"The introduction of Saphira Bio Press Wash and Saphira Bio Ink underscores Heidelberg's commitment to conserving resources while delivering products that consistently measure up to the highest quality standards," said Ray Cassino, director of Prinect and CtP product management. "Customers wanting to make the most efficient, productive and profitable use of their Heidelberg equipment without compromising their environmental sustainability will want to take advantage of these additions to the Saphira portfolio."
 
Saphira Bio Press Wash
Standard Press Wash products are major contributors to VOCs in the pressroom. In contrast, new Heidelberg Saphira Bio Press Wash is a vegetable ester-based product that contains less than 10 percent VOCs. Fully compliant with California Rule 1171, Saphira Bio Press Wash achieves only 0.80 pounds per gallon of VOCs using the required EPA Method 24 testing. Saphira Bio Press Wash can be used by hand or in automatic press washing systems. Designed for maximum cleaning ability, Saphira Bio Press Wash also contains a surfactant that enhances ink-cutting performance. Like all Saphira press washes, Heidelberg Bio Press Wash is formulated to meet real-world pressroom requirements, and blended to meet strict performance, health and safety benchmarks set by FOGRA. They also are less susceptible to fire and health hazards than washes with lower flashpoints, and will not damage press components.
 
Saphira Bio Ink
Developed specifically for use in sheetfed offset presses, Saphira Bio Ink meets the demanding requirements of today's environmentally responsible printer. Saphira Bio Ink combines outstanding lithographic performance, press productivity, and print quality with ultra-low VOC content-typically 2-3 percent by EPA Method 24. Saphira Bio Ink also contains a high percentage of bio-derived, renewable raw materials, and deliver robust performance across a broad range of running conditions. The inks also retain excellent color strength on coated or uncoated papers, and are suitable for aqueous coating, off-line UV coating and lamination. Finally, like all Saphira inks, Saphira Bio Ink can be supplied with ICC profiles to help printers achieve the best proof-to-print color match. Heidelberg Saphira Bio Ink has earned the EcoLogoTM, North America's oldest and most trusted environmental leadership certification mark.
 
Berkeley, CA-based Greenerprinter boasts a thoroughgoing commitment to the environment that extends from its choice of sustainably manufactured Heidelberg technology to its use of environmentally friendly Heidelberg prepress and pressroom consumables to ensure environmentally compliant production – without incurring any compromise in quality.
 
"Heidelberg's new Saphira Bio products give us the best of both worlds," said company president Mario Assadi. "Not only are they lower in VOCs than traditional products, but they also protect and promote the efficient performance of our Heidelberg equipment." The company is also using Heidelberg's eco friendly Saphira Violet Chem-free violet plates.
 
HEI on Green
Heidelberg entered the consumables market in 2001 and has enjoyed double-digit growth every year since its inception. At drupa 2008, the company consolidated all of its consumable offerings under the Saphira brand name. Today, the Saphira line includes a complete line of custom-blended chemistry; a full portfolio of blankets; conventional and direct imaging plates; matte and gloss aqueous coatings; proofing papers; inks for Heidelberg' s Anicolor-equipped Speedmaster SM 52; as well as process and Pantone inks for commercial lithography. Saphira consumables have been tested and optimized by experts or developed in close cooperation with suppliers specifically for use in Heidelberg equipment, and are guaranteed to work as promised. The value of using products optimized for Heidelberg presses can be measured in a printer's ability to make the most efficient use of his Heidelberg equipment job after job for the life of the press – without incurring the degradation of performance linked to less compatible consumables. Heidelberg also offers its customers expert advice in choosing the right consumables for their needs. All Saphira products comply with the latest industry environmental standards, which play a key role in the development of all products and solutions marketed by Heidelberg.
 
Eighty percent of those who buy Saphira consumables prefer to purchase them through the convenience of Web-enabled, 24/7, one-stop shopping from the Heidelberg Online Shop. Customer representatives are available to assist with product selection, and most orders can be shipped within two days. To learn more or to set up an account, visit www.us.heidelberg.com  or call 888-472-9655.
 
To learn more about Heidelberg's green initiatives and the impact that sustainable printing can have on your business, visit http://www.us.heidelberg.com/Bio .