In 2008, Pira International conducted research for the US Print Industries Market Information and Research Organisation (PRIMIR). The resulting 300-page study, entitled Sustainable Print in a Dynamic Global Market: What Going Green Means, released in early 2009, investigates who is driving sustainability in the industry; reports on accreditation and other environmental management programmes and systems; reviews regulatory and compliance issues; contrasts how print compares with other industries; and discusses carbon footprinting and offsetting.
Pira found that few companies in the print industry are truly 'green'. Most claim to be simply because they are FSC or SFI certified. Many printers are recycling everything they can from their operation, and many are generating income from this recycling.
But the study revealed that the more progressive firms have a culture - an all-out corporate commitment to sustainability - with full time staff dedicated to that purpose, and have made significant investments that already provide a positive ROI, not only to their production costs, but also in new customers who are seeking a sustainable supplier.
The PRIMIR study concludes that the quest for sustainable print in today's dynamic global market, with downward pricing pressure, a global credit crunch, and escalating energy prices, at first glance appears to face an insurmountable challenge. “The industry needs to develop a new philosophy of supply chain integration, a partnership approach, and a more supportive and inclusive dialogue—along with education throughout the industry supply chain and the corporate community.“
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