The First Flexographic Printer in the World to Run a Flexo Press on Solar Power

HILLSBORO, OR - GM Graphix, a premier flexographic printing company, was awarded the most innovative use of LED curing technology -- for reducing carbon footprint while improving energy efficiency using solar power. GM Graphix is the first flexographic company in the world to run a six-color flexographic press with LED curing technology powered by solar panels. The MPS 340 Flexographic press combining Paragon Inks and LED light sources from Phoseon Technology, uses 70% less energy to produce labels, and has increased productivity by 75%. The MPS press is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly printing press in South Africa.

According to Pieter Massyn at GM Graphix, "The start-up time for the LED light sources is instant, saving us at least thirty minutes production time per day compared to mercury lamps. In addition, the inks are more stable and dry much faster with LED, so productivity increases and sharper color can be achieved."

GM Graphix is passionate about reducing their carbon footprint and impact on the environment. Their passion resulted in a carbon footprint reduction of 17% by the end of 2015, and targeting to reduce their carbon footprint with another 16% by the end of 2016, which means a total reduction of 34% on their carbon footprint for the year 2015/2016. Thanks to many intuitive ways, for example changing all the lights throughout the building to LED lights, they also managed to achieve a saving of 41.45% saving on electricity kWh within the first six months of 2016.

They are currently opening a new demo facility in Bloemfontein, South Africa to support the solar installation. The solar power currently generates approximately 28 kWh for seven hours per day in winter; and if they plan according to color, web width and speed, they can print an average of eight hours per day with solar power.