PFFC - September 2008 - (Page 36)

GREEN CONVERTING But that is just one part of CEI’s extensive sustainability program. The company’s website highlights more than nearly two dozen aspects of that program involving its products, production, process chemicals, recycling efforts, and shipping. All are designed to mitigate the impact of both its products and processes on the environment. “We feel we’re a leader in reducing product weight, making packaging that is recyclable, using recycled materials, and using renewable energy,” explains Nowak. “All of those things we feel can help our customers.” Eco-Conscious from the Start While “sustainability” is a relatively new concept to some in the industry, the idea of “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” has been around for more than two decades. Coating Excellence has been adhering to these basic principles since its founding in 1997. “We’ve always focused on the keys to sustainability,” says Nowak. “It has since become very important to our company, our customers, and our industry.” For example, in marked contrast to many flexible packaging converters, CEI never has used solvent-based inks, coatings, or adheCEI relies on computer-controlled Egan/Davissives in any facet of Standard extruders for precise film weights. its converting opera“Now, with all the emphasis on the tion. The use of water-based alternatives also has been a key element of its sustain- environment and sustainability, we just think that water-based is a much better ability program. alternative than solvents,” he says. “It Nowak notes that water-based inks and coatings were recognized unialso has a lot less environmental impact versally as better for the environment from an emissions standpoint, so we look and sustainability when he established at all those kinds of things. It’s kind of a Coating Excellence, “but you couldn’t shotgun approach, but if we can reduce get the quality unless you were printnumerous things from a sustainability ing on paper.” Still, he invested in the standpoint, we think we’re all better off.” necessary equipment and processes to deliver superior flexible packaging that Computers in Control met both the needs of its customers and Nowak says that while CEI’s sustainabilthe environment. ity efforts have played at least a part in the PFFC-ASAP 127 36 | SEPTEMBER 2008 WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - September 2008

PFFC - September 2008 Contents First Glance Calendar of Events From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Flexo Printing Cover: Green Converting Green Printing Labelexpo New Product Digest Focus: Ink What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Equipment Buyers & Sellers Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - September 2008

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