The WAN-IFRA Shaping the Future of Newspapers project posted an item Thursday based on its "Going Green" report. In it, Erin Lin points out that investing in a new press is the right time to think about energy and cost savings by determining the best format in relation to the product(s).
An option it cites is a flexo press, which uses less energy for its one ink roller, one plate and one impression cylinder than a comparable offset press, which may have 10 to 13 ink rollers, a plate and blanket cylinders and a water system with electrical drives on each side of a printing couple.
Besides saving power by operating fewer press components, newspaper flexo uses ink containing substantially lower levels of volatile organic compounds, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press Operations Vice President Frank Anthony.
The latest production methods will raise productivity and lower waste, according to manroland, an SFN backer. The pressmaker cites an 87.5% decline in waste between 1995 and 2008, even as press speed rose by 43% and productivity more than doubled, with plate changes down 67% from 1995 to 2005 and 28% over the next three years.
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