Environmental Materials

PVC has for many years been the predominant material in the printing of banners and wall graphics, also used for exhibition boards and building wraps. It’s versatile, durable and cheap, an excellent print material in many regards, unfortunately from its manufacture to its disposal, PVC emits toxic compounds.During the manufacture its components (such as vinyl chloride monomer) dioxin and other persistent pollutants are emitted into the air, water and land, during use, or if land-filled PVC products can leach toxic additives, emitting dioxin and heavy metals. When PVC burns in accidental fires, hydrogen chloride gas and dioxin are formed. There is a viable alternative across the range.

Polypropylene

It satisfies all four EU criteria used when assessing the environmental impact of a manufacturing material;

minimal use of natural resources, reduced emissions, a long working life and optimal reuse), it is also:

Environmentally-friendly Before polypropylene was invented, the gaseous waste from oil such as propylene and ethylene were simply burned, because they were useless. Today, these gases are used to produce polypropylene, thus drastically reducing atmospheric pollution. The production process also eliminates the potential polluting of rivers, streams and lakes, due to the use of water in a closed cooling cycle.

Recyclable There is a high demand for polypropylene for recycling purposes as it can be recycled more than 50 times without any reduction in strength. Recycled polypropylene has uses as car parts, furniture, pots and pallets separators.

Superior As well as being the most durable and flexible material for making binders, folders and packaging, polypropylene is far more environmentally and economically sound than rival products such as standard plastics and PVC. Polypropylene, unlike PVC, does not give off chlorine when burnt. It gives off only water vapor and carbon dioxide, which is converted by photosynthesis (chlorophyll). It is a chemically inert product. To incinerate some materials, extra fuel needs to be added. Polypropylene however, is destroyed simply by burning, because its calorific capacity is similar to that of oil. Thus incinerators economise on fuel and operate more efficiently.

Durable Polypropylene products last much longer than those made from most similar materials. It is easy to wipe clean, hard wearing and will withstand extreme temperatures and ageing. Being more durable than alternative materials, products made from polypropylene don't need to be replaced as often. When used for packaging, boxes and cases often have a second 'life'. Saving cost, resources, our environment and our future.