Design for Environment

The FUJIFILM Group undertakes environmentally conscious product development based on its design for environment initiative.

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As part of its wider global Sustainable Value Plan 2030 (SVP2030), Fujifilm undertakes environmentally conscious product development based on its design for environment initiative. This considers the entire lifecycle of a product, from procurement, manufacturing, transportation, use to the eventual disposal, to set targets from the perspective of climate change mitigation (reduced power use, etc.). From the design stage, the “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle” principle of resource saving, risk reduction of chemical substances, and biodiversity are all considered as part of the development process.

This approach is applied not only to materials and standalone equipment, but also to software and solutions in a bid to reduce environmental impact in the society as a whole. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is conducted to achieve a quantitative and objective assessment of the environmental impact of a product. The environmental label is also used for active dissemination of information.

“Green Value Products” Certification Program

In an effort to “contribute to resolving environmental issues in society through our products and services,” as set out in the Sustainable Value Plan targeted for FY2030, Fujifilm introduced a “Green Value Products” certification program in FY2018.  This program compliments the company’s existing internal regulations on design for environment, and aims to clarify any product’s environmental values and involves the certification of products exhibiting outstanding environmental credentials.

This certification program sets certain priorities to the certification criteria according to the product category and the use and features of each product through its entire life cycle. Fujifilm then clarifies the environmental value of each product by conducting environmentally conscious design assessments based on such certification criteria at the time of product development. Certain products are then selected for certification based on the total score of each assessment item. These products are reviewed and approved by the Group Certification Council, and finally certified as a Fujifilm “Green Value Product”.

The certification criteria are determined for the entire life cycle of each product with a different weight for each assessment item, by comprehensively assessing the environmental items such as “measures for climate change,” “resource saving and recycling,” “risk minimisation for chemical substances,” and “biodiversity” as well as considering the social requirements for each business/product category.

This certification program is implemented in compliance with the requirements of the international standard “ISO14021 Self-declared Environmental Claims” and obtains the opinions of external experts in order to ensure the objectivity, reliability, and transparency of the program.

Certification ranking and criteria

Fujifilm classifies its products into three certification ranks (diamond, gold, and silver) according to the degree of their contribution to the reduction of environmental impact.

RankCertification criteria
DiamondProducts and services that user their respective industries’ innovative technologies to substantially contribute to reducing environmental impact
GoldProducts and services that reduce environmental impact at their respective industries’ highest level
SilverProducts and services that reduce environmental impact at a higher level than their respective industries’ standard

Product examples

In Fujifilm’s Graphic Arts business, the following products have been certified for their environmental performance:

Jet Press 750S High Speed Model:  GOLD

Effects on reduction of environmental impact:

  • Many of the consumables associated with conventional offset printing are eliminated
  • Significantly reduces the amount of wasted paper
  • Smaller footprint compared to previous models
  • The efficient drying mechanism reduces drying times, contributing to significantly higher speeds, and saving power
  • Excellent paper recycleability (de-inking ability)

Overall, there are significant reductions in resources, water use and waste compared to equivalent offset presses, with excellent paper recycling.

Revoria Press PC1120:                      SILVER

The requirements of major environment labels for energy consumption, hazardous substances, audible sound levels during operation and recyclable design are satisfied.

Revoria E1 Series:                             SILVER

The requirements of major environment labels for energy consumption, hazardous substances, audible sound levels during operation and recyclable design are satisfied.

Sustainability targets and the environment

Fujifilm has comprehensive targets relating to sustainability and the environment which lay the foundations for its business management strategies to achieve sustainable growth

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Fujifilm’s Sustainable Value Plan 2030 (SVP2030)

The Fujifilm Group announced its Sustainable Value Plan 2030 (SVP2030) in August 2017. The new plan set targeting FY2030 as its long-term goal, which is expected to lay the foundations of the Group’s business management strategies for sustainable growth. One of the key pillars of the SVP2030 is dedicated to the environment.

The environment and sustainability

There are four priority issues, regarding the environmental part of the SVP2030, each with its own set of targets:

  1. Address climate change
  2. Promote the recycling of resources
  3. Address energy issues towards a decarbonised society
  4. Ensure product and chemical safety

1. Address climate change

Reduce the Fujifilm Group’s own CO2 emissions

Reduce CO2 emissions across the entire product life cycle*1 by 50% by FY2030, compared to the FY2019 level

So far (2020) the progress is 15%, 29% of the way towards the target

 

Reduce CO2 emissions from its operations (Scope 1 and 2) *2 by 50% by FY2030, compared to the FY2019 level, aiming to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by FY2040

So far (2020) the progress is 6%, 13% of the way towards the target

 

Convert 50% of purchased electric power to renewable energy-derived power by FY2030

So far (2020) the progress is 9%, 18% of the way towards the target

Contribute to reduce CO2 emissions in society through the use of Fujifilm’s products and services.

Contribute to a reduction in the CO2 emissions generated by society by 90 million tons by FY2030

 

Fujifilm has recently increased its target for contributing to reducing CO2 emissions generated in society from 50 million tonnes to 90 million tonnes.  The aim is to achieve this by replacing conventional products with products that are more sustainable.

So far (2020) the progress is 20 million tonnes, 23% of the way towards the target

 

Increase the % of products certified as “Green Value Products” to 60% of group-wide sales by FY2030.

The Fujifilm Group operates the “Green Value Products” certification scheme, a mechanism for continually creating superior environmentally conscious products and services. In fiscal 2020, 30 new products were certified, bringing the total to 166 (32%), and the company increased the target for the number of products certified to 60% of group-wide sales. As such, Fujifilm is over half-way towards this target.

So far (2020) the progress is 32%, 53% of the way towards the target.

*1 Including phases such as procurement of materials, and manufacturing, transportation, usage and disposal of products.

*2 Direct emission from the company at the manufacturing stage of the product (Scope 1) and indirect emission due to the use of electricity / steam supplied from other companies (Scope 2).

Promote the recycling of resources

Reduce the amount of water the Fujifilm Group uses by 30% by FY2030 (compared to FY2013 levels)

The result in FY2020 was 16%, so the company is over half-way towards the goal of 30% by FY2030.

Contribute to the treatment of 35 million tonnes of water per year in society by FY2030

The result in FY2020 was 8 million tonnes, so the company is around 23% of the way towards the goal of 35 million tonnes by FY2030.

Reduce the amount of waste produced by the Fujifilm Group by 30% by FY2030 (compared to FY2013 levels)

Fujifilm has managed to ensure that the amount of waste produced by the Group did not increase in FY2020, despite rising revenues and an expansion of the business, but has not yet managed to make the reductions planned.  This is a key area of focus for the future.

Achieve a recycling index*3 of more than 10 by FY2030 (was 6.5 in FY2020)

Achieve a valuables conversion index*4 of more than 1 in FY2030 (was 0.63 in FY2020)

*3 Recycling index = (Recycled volume + Valuable-converted volume) / Simple disposal volume

*4 Valuables conversion index = Valuable-converted volume / Recycled volume

Address energy issues towards a decarbonised society

By contributing to the creation and widespread use of renewable energies through advanced materials, Fujifilm aims to help address energy issues and the move towards a decarbonised society. In particular, a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) started the development of an “all solid state lithium-ion battery” – a next generation storage battery for electric vehicles, under an industry-government-academia collaboration. Fujifilm is participating in the project as one of 23 manufacturers of cars and batteries.

Ensure product and chemical safety

Under this objective, Fujifilm’s aim is to minimise the adverse effect of chemical substances on human health and the environment. In particular, Fujifilm completed the replacement of 2 of 7 chemical substances within the high priority substances for risk management, a new classification established in 2020.  In addition, Fujifilm held online briefings for business partners and achieved 90% understanding of the chemSHERPA chemical information communication system, contributing to further improvement of management accuracy for hazardous substances used in products.

Case Study: Flenex FW Printing Plates

Aztec Label

Case Study

Leading UK label manufacturer adopts Fujifilm’s water washable Flenex FW Printing Plates following successful trial

Aztec Label

West Midlands, UK

Flenex FW

We already had a strong working relationship with Fujifilm, having used their inks for some time, and the Flenex trial was an instant success, immediately remedying the problems we were facing.

Colin Le Gresley | Managing Director, Aztec Label

Highlights

  • The commitment follows a successful trial of the plates in May 2021
  • Aztec Label credited the processor with further time savings to the platemaking process and said it is impressed with the performance of the inks
  • The UK-based firm also invested in a Fujifilm C-Touch processor and new Fujifilm UV-LED JJ inks
  • The company’s investment is helping it meet customers’ quality and speed of delivery demands

Established in 1993, Aztec Label manufactures a huge range of self-adhesive labels and tags in a variety of colours, sizes and quantities for customers in the UK and abroad. The company has been growing steadily since its founding and now employs 25 people at its West Midlands facility and turns over £3.6 million annually.

“The key demands our customers place on us are quality and speed of delivery,” says Colin Le Gresley, Managing Director, Aztec Label. “Whatever the industry, whether it’s food and beverage; pharma and medical; household and personal care; automotive or any number of other sectors – all of our customers are looking for consistently high-quality and reliable prompt deliveries. To make sure we’re meeting those expectations, we’re always on the lookout for technological solutions that will help us to improve, and that’s why we decided to trial Fujifilm’s Flenex FW water-washable plates.”

We achieved excellent plate washout in half the time with no sludge build up in the processor. Platemaking is faster now, and there are far fewer plate failures, so it was an easy decision

Colin Le Gresley | Managing Director, Aztec Label

“We’d been having some issues with the plate material from our previous supplier, and Fujifilm’s Flenex solution looked like a promising alternative to us. We already had a strong working relationship with Fujifilm, having used their inks for some time, and the Flenex trial was an instant success, immediately remedying the problems we were facing. We achieved excellent plate washout in half the time with no sludge build up in the processor. Platemaking is faster now, and there are far fewer plate failures, so it was an easy decision.”

Flenex FW

Find out more about all the advantages of Fujifilm’s water-washable flexo plates

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Aztec is no stranger to water washable plate technology, having been making water wash plates for nearly a decade, part of the company’s commitment to sustainability and the environment. Aztec also made a massive investment in solar power several years ago with the installation of solar panels across the factory roof as part of a £250,000 refurbishment. The company was also an early adopter of the BPIF ‘Zero Labels 2 Landfill’ scheme in 2017. “The Flenex investment is yet another step in helping us to continue to be a sustainable pre-press and print supplier,” says Le Gresley.

A Fujifilm C-Touch processor and new Fujifilm UV-LED JJ inks also formed part of the investment. Le Gresley credits the processor with further time savings to the platemaking process and is impressed so far with the performance of the inks.

Discover more…

Learn more about Flenex FW by downloading the product brochure

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Flenex FW

High quality water-washable flexographic plate range

Protect the planet and your profits

A water-washable, high quality flexo plate range that improves productivity while protecting the environment

Flenex FW is a water-washable flexo plate range that provides the ultimate combination of quality, productivity and sustainability, while significantly lowering the cost-in-use compared to solvent plate processing systems.

Up to

40 mins

platemaking time
High quality

200lpi

@ 4,400 dpi
Achieve

1%

flat top dot

Why Flenex FW?

Superb quality over longer runs with a consistent 200lpi at 4,400 dpi, 1% process dot structure

Better ink transfer for brighter print results, with crisper, cleaner edges and bright colours

Excellent plate durability and reduced plate swell increase press uptime, print runs and profitability

Lower cost in use
Higher productivity
More durable
1% flat top dot

Avoid the cost of expensive solvent and thermal processors with Flenex FW, to achieve the lowest flexo plate production costs.

Freshen up your flexo plate making processes with unique benefits

The Flenex FW water-washable plate system does far more than simply eliminate the need for solvents and wicking cloths. It delivers longer runs while producing a consistent 200lpi at 4,400 dpi, 1% process dot structure for superb high quality print, depending on the conditions.

Flexible plate processing options

Fujifilm water-wash processors deliver optimum performance with Flenex FW. The C-Touch MK2 and SB938 plate processing systems offer high performance all-in-one processing for your Flenex water-washable plates, and both feature an extended bath life and efficient plate handling. Available for businesses of all sizes and easy to install, why not bring the whole production process in-house, with the reassurance that Fujifilm is there to help should you need it.

Water Filtration System

  • The latest edition to the Fujifilm portfolio is the Water Filtration System, designed specifically to extend the bath life of SB938 and C-Touch MK2 processors, and reduce the amount of water required. Using this system results in a cleaner processor, extending the time between cleaning, allowing maintenance costs to be reduced, and improving environmental performance.

Higher productivity

Flenex FW water-washable plates reduce platemaking processing times to less than 40 minutes, 300% faster than leading solvent systems and 1.5 times faster than current thermal and water-wash technologies. Faster platemaking means more time on press and a dramatic increase in output per shift, freeing you to redeploy labour to more value added activities. Typical benefits include:

 

  • Increase in number of plates produced
  • Increase in quality
  • Faster job turnaround
  • Maximise press time
  • Lower labour costs or opportunity to redeploy
  • More environmentally friendly plate making

High quality print

The Flenex FW water-washable plate system does far more than simply eliminate the need for solvents and wicking cloths. It delivers longer runs while producing a consistent 200lpi at 4,400 dpi, 1% process dot structure for superb high quality print, depending on the conditions.

Flat top dot structure
The rubber-based compound means a 1% flat top dot can be achieved without complex systems to eliminate oxygen, and results in lower dot gain. In addition, better ink transfer produces noticeably cleaner and brighter print results.

Technology overview

Flenex FW photopolymer plates contain a special rubber-based compound that offers a number of inherent advantages over other elastomeric materials from which most other flexo plates are made. In particular, rubber is not oxygen sensitive, which minimises the effect oxygen in the air has on the dot shape and the complexity of the system to eliminate oxygen from the plate production process. The other advantages of a rubber-based plate material include:

  • Reduced dot gain
  • Better ink transfer for cleaner, brighter print results
  • Faster exposure and washout times
  • Much more durable
  • Mild washout with water and dishwasher soap
  • Reduced plate swell

We already had a strong working relationship with Fujifilm, having used their inks for some time, and the Flenex trial was an instant success, immediately remedying the problems we were facing.

Colin Le Gresley | Managing Director, Aztec Label

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Sustainability

Less impact on the environment

The use of Flenex FW water-washable flexo printing plates has less impact on the environment, as processing is accomplished with only a mild detergent, and not working with solvents is a huge benefit from a health and safety perspective.

Learn more about sustainability

Discover more

Learn more about Flenex FW by downloading our product brochure

Download the Brochure
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