Summary of Roland Niggemeyer & Lothar Vorbeck present at the EcoPrint Virtual Summit 2023

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

In the EcoPrint Virtual Summit, Roland Niggemeyer and Lothar Vorbeck, industry leaders in textile printing and sustainability, discussed the importance of open communication and transparency in promoting sustainability in the printing industry. They emphasized the need for companies to share information and not keep sustainability practices to themselves, as well as the increasing pressure from customers to deliver sustainable products. The speakers also addressed the challenge of balancing sustainability with profitability and the importance of certifications and proven certificates to facilitate sustainable practices. They discussed the challenges of recycling and the need for industry collaboration to make progress in sustainability. They also highlighted the importance of educating customers, creating a reliable certification system, and fostering collaboration in the industry. Ultimately, they anticipate a tipping point where sustainable practices become the norm in the printing industry.

• 00:00:00 In this section, the host introduces two gentlemen from Germany who specialize in textile printing and are leaders in sustainability. Mr. L is the Managing Director of Gonish, a company that has been producing textiles for sublimation digital printing since 1997. Mr. Roland is the owner of Nigar Build Production, a textile printing company that started as a photo lab and transitioned into large format printing in the early 2000s. They both emphasize that while they are committed to sustainability, they don't consider themselves leaders in the field and believe there are many printing companies already taking steps towards sustainability.
• 00:05:00 In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of being open and confident about sustainability in order to be a leader. They emphasize the need for companies to share information and not keep sustainability practices to themselves. They highlight that European companies are already legally bound to be sustainable, but it is important to go further and differentiate themselves by taking additional steps, such as saving energy and avoiding CO2 emissions. They emphasize the importance of transparency and showing customers the tangible proof of their sustainability efforts, such as planted trees, solar energy, and the use of recycled materials. The speakers also mention the increasing pressure from customers to deliver sustainable products and the responsibility they feel in contributing to the preservation of the planet.
• 00:10:00 In this section, Roland Niggemeyer and Lothar Vorbeck discuss the challenge of balancing sustainability with profitability in the printing industry. While they acknowledge the importance of being environmentally friendly, they emphasize the need to make money as a business. Niggemeyer mentions that the increase in energy prices led them to optimize their machines and invest in solar panels. However, the pressure from customers to be green without incurring additional expenses poses a challenge. Vorbeck points out the difficulty in pricing green products differently, as customers may not want to pay extra for sustainability. They also address the issue of some companies falsely claiming sustainability certifications, stressing the importance of transparency and educating customers about the value of true sustainability. Overall, they believe it is crucial to proactively promote sustainability and not wait for scandals to occur.
• 00:15:00 In this section, Roland Niggemeyer and Lothar Vorbeck discuss the increasing importance of sustainability to customers and the impact of legislation on the market. They mention the rise in greenwashing scandals and the need for more honest practices in the industry. While both materials and pricing may change in the future, the focus is on ensuring that what is communicated to customers is accurate. They also touch on their own companies' strategies for sustainable production, such as implementing renewable energy sources and improving waste management.
• 00:20:00 In this section, Roland Niggemeyer and Lothar Vorbeck discuss their company's decision to pursue certification as a way to ensure that they are on track towards sustainability. They mention that they have chosen to pursue the IMAS certification, which is a well-known European certification for sustainable practices. They emphasize that the certification is not a one-time audit, but rather a regular and ongoing process that requires paperwork and reporting. They mention that they have set up a team dedicated to this process, which takes about a year and a half to complete. Once approved, their business will be listed in an official register, allowing them to promote their sustainable practices.
• 00:25:00 In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of certifications and proven certificates in the printing industry. They believe that in the future, there will be a clear division between companies that have proven certifications for certain jobs, especially those required by public institutions. They give an example of how in Vienna, the use of PVC street banners was forbidden, prompting them to replace them with polyester. They emphasize the concept of "design for recycling" and mention their own certifications, but acknowledge that it is necessary to have a widely understood and accepted certification in order to facilitate sustainable practices across the industry. They also express the need for collaboration with competitors to make a significant impact, as individual efforts may not be sufficient.
• 00:30:00 In this section, Roland Niggemeyer discusses the importance of circular printing and his goal to offer his customers a circular print. He mentions that there are other companies in the market open to collaboration and suggests that the headline of the industry should be "circular print." However, he points out that there is a reluctance among competitors to collaborate due to a belief in proprietary knowledge. He also acknowledges the complexity of recycling in the printing industry, including the various types of inks and finishing processes involved. Niggemeyer emphasizes the need for a way to control the material and ensure that it is recyclable without any finishing residue.
• 00:35:00 In this section, Roland Niggemeyer and Lothar Vorbeck discuss the challenges they face with recycling and sustainability in their company. They mention that their production amounts are not significant enough to receive attention from larger recycling companies. They express the need for a local recycling strategy to cater to their local customers. They also mention the lack of viable solutions for recycling printed materials and highlight the importance of chemical recycling as a long-term solution. However, they acknowledge that this process is still in its early stages and requires further development. They touch on the costs and time involved in implementing sustainable practices and emphasize the importance of industry collaboration to make progress in sustainability.
• 00:40:00 In this section, Roland Niggemeyer and Lothar Vorbeck discuss the challenges of convincing customers to adopt sustainable practices in printing. Despite presenting statistics and figures showing the environmental benefits, customers may still be resistant to change, especially when different departments within their organization have conflicting priorities. They emphasize the importance of effective communication and educating customers about the nuances of sustainability. They also mention the need for industry associations to play a proactive role in promoting sustainable practices and facilitating discussions among stakeholders. Overall, while progress has been made in the past few years, they acknowledge that the journey towards sustainability requires ongoing effort and collaboration.
• 00:45:00 In this section of the video, the discussion revolves around what is missing in the market to further advance the topic of sustainability and demonstrate success. One suggestion is that events like the Olympic Games in France, where actions speak louder than words, can inspire others to take similar actions. Additionally, companies in the manufacturing sector, such as machine and ink manufacturers, can play a role in promoting projects and showcasing the environmental benefits of their products. The importance of transparency and providing customers with tangible information about CO2 savings is emphasized. It is also mentioned that countries like Germany, with a large printing market, could lead the way by adopting more sustainable practices.
• 00:50:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of creating a network and communication platform, such as EcoPrint, to bring people together and foster collaboration in the printing industry. They emphasize the need for a reliable certification or label system to combat greenwashing and ensure companies commit to sustainability rather than just making empty promises. The speaker also highlights the importance of educating customers about sustainable practices and materials, so they can make informed decisions. Overall, the aim is to create a more sustainable and transparent industry through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• 00:55:00 In this section, Roland Niggemeyer and Lothar Vorbeck discuss the importance of sustainability in the printing industry. They highlight the need for every little step towards reducing CO2 emissions and waste as a necessary and positive move for the future. They anticipate a tipping point where sustainable practices become the norm and customers will only have access to environmentally friendly options. They express excitement for this time when sustainability is accepted as the standard.