< PreviousENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS How can we minimise our environmental impact? Reduction The obvious way is to reduce the mass of the products we produce. This has been underway for years now as a natural way to reduce costs and minimise price increases. PVC films have come down in thickness from a 100µ average a few decades ago to a current average of around 75µ, without losing any performance. Further reductions down to 50µ to 60µ are possible but opacity, handling, and the ability to accept high ink loads begins to be compromised. When we get close to 50µ the film costs actually increase. The adhesive thickness has also been reduced by around 10% in the same period; any further reductions may compromise the adhesive itself. In addition, release liners have reduced from the traditional 140gsm thickness to the 125gsm to 135gsm range. We currently believe 120gsm is probably the minimum market acceptable weight for graphics. Below 120gsm stability in printing and handling starts to become a major issue. In terms of our packaging, we are also phasing out some of the polybags used to protect the boxed rolls and are attempting to swap the two plastic core plugs per box with either recycled plastic plugs or cardboard alternatives. Recycling Until recently the films and liner were only theoretically recyclable, however under the FESPA UK waste accreditation scheme PVC film and liner can now be recycled. Please see further details about our total waste management solution on page 10. Landfill is both costly and unwanted, which leaves us with incineration to produce electricity in ‘Energy from Waste’ plants. EU guidance emphasises that “generating energy from waste that cannot be recycled or reused can contribute to a circular economy and energy diversification, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector”. These plants have been around in the UK for many years now and originally were just incineration plants. In the last few years some have been adapted to use the heat from burning waste to create superheated steam and drive turbines to generate low-carbon electricity. The incineration processes have been improved with higher combustion temperatures, and increased burn time to ensure complete oxidation. All the chlorine , the source of Dioxins, is converted to HCl or inorganic chlorides, the HCl is neutralised in the scrubber while CO2 is vented to the atmosphere and the inorganic chlorides are incorporated into the ash. We have visited an Energy from Waste plant, operated as a joint venture by Grundon Waste Management and Viridor. The Lakeside EfW facility at Colnbrook near Slough has been operational since 2010. This plant processes over 450,000 tonnes of waste per year, generating 37MW of power, which is enough to provide electricity to 56,000 homes. They send nothing to landfill. Emission Limit Values are strictly regulated through the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regime and are currently monitored by the Environment Agency. All emissions from the stack comply with the most stringent UK and European pollution control standards. The Air Pollution Control residues from the filters, the fly ash and the Incinerator Bottom Ash are all recovered. These reactive residues are then treated by using Accelerated Carbon Technology to make a recycled aggregate, which is then used as a substitute for naturally extracted aggregate in road building. There are currently over 50 EfW plants in the UK, still way below the number in countries such as France, Germany, Sweden etc. As we see it, the advantages of EfW are: • 100% diversion from landfill • Reduce disposal costs, by sending waste to Energy from Waste facilities means no Landfill Tax • Generate renewable electricity as your non-recyclable waste generates power for the National Grid, currently we believe around 2.5% of all UK electricity is produced by EfW • These schemes have been taking our waste for years and seem happy with the mix our industry feeds them with REACH regulations REACH is a regulation of the EU, to protect health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals. It had an impact on PVC films a few years back as certain chemicals used in pigments were banned in the EU, including pigments based on lead chromate. These changes made some products less opaque and some products had to change shade. Some phthalates used for plasticisers were also banned such as DEHP. All our EU suppliers were fully on board with these changes and continue to monitor and adhere to all the new regulations. 9FESPA UK - TOTAL WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTION We are signed up to the FESPA UK Waste Accreditation Champion scheme. This gives our customers the option to get a waste audit and the resources to be able to recycle all their self-adhesive materials and backing liners through a traceable recycling scheme, of which they can then receive a certification of waste. Contact us for further information. FESPA UK WASTE ACCREDITATION INDUSTRY CHAMPION In partnership with FESPA UK, who are a globally recognised non-profit organisation, our goal is to provide an impartial waste scheme that will help to dispose of graphics waste in the most responsible methods. Providing accountability, clear guidance and education are our key values. • All material brands collected • 100% client Accountability • Comprehensive Auditing • Industry champions working together to create change • Impartial, honest advice • Total waste management solution • Self-adhesive PVC • Self-adhesive non-PVC • All release liners • Polyester fabrics • Label waste • PVC banner • Rigid PVC (Foamboard) • Rigid polypropylenes • Aluminium composite material • Acrylic • PETg • Polycarbonate • Siliconized papers SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE TO RECYCLE IMPARTIAL WASTE SCHEME 10All you need to do is place the plastic core/ end plugs in the bulk bags we will provide. The cardboard boxes need to be flattened and stored in a dry condition. The cores need to be stored in a dry condition. Our ‘Collect & Recycle’ scheme is in conjunction with the FESPA UK Waste Accreditation Scheme. This ‘Collect & Recycle’ service is available to customers who are covered by our dedicated APS van routes in the South and Midlands. We will collect cardboard boxes, cores and plastic core/end plugs and reuse these materials where we can and recycle those items that are not fit for purpose. We believe that repurposing materials is better for the environment than recycling as uses less energy, transport and reduces the need for new products. Scope will include customers who get van deliveries and we are calling on them to deliver regular orders. We aim to make this process easy and cost neutral for us and our customers. AIM OF THE PROJECT OUR ‘COLLECT & RECYCLE’ SCHEME WHAT DO CUSTOMERS HAVE TO DO? WHAT WE DON’T WANT TO DO? When we deliver new goods, our vans will then collect the full bulk bags and cardboard boxes and cores. The drivers will replace the full bag taken with an empty bag. COLLECTION We don’t want to make collections unless we are delivering fresh product. We are not a waste company so the waste we collect needs to be pre-sorted and kept in good condition. We cannot collect and recycle thick walled cores as used on superwide fabrics and banner materials. The maximum length of core we can recycle is 1600mm. We are not set up to take any other waste, apart from products similar to those we supply. No domestic waste, plastic sheet offcuts, office paper. While we are happy to take back other manufacturers’ boxes and end plugs, it has to be lesser in volume than the amount we supply and in proportion to new product we are delivering. 11SIGN MEDIA Our range of coloured vinyls is the most extensive you will find in the UK and features some of the industry’s top brands. All of the products are available off-the-shelf. We consider 50M, 25M and 10M lengths as standard although you can buy as little as 1M if required ...and all on a next-day delivery nationwide if you order a standard construction before 6pm, except for Fridays which is 5.30pm. We can also slit the width of the roll down if needed, and sprocket. To help solve some of the problems associated with matching vinyl colours try our ‘APS Colour Picker’ tool on our website, this will let you know instantly whether we have a match to a particular Pantone® and how close we believe the match is. We have selected the closest colour match regardless of manufacturer to the Pantone® printing ink colour, and in the event of a tie in vinyl colour matches we have selected the most durable vinyl. If there is no match then bear in mind we also offer bespoke Pantone® colour matched vinyls for as little as 1 x 50M roll. INTRODUCTION VINYL COLOUR MATCHING Buy The MetreBuy The Metre Non-standard roll lengths are surcharged at 33% 121.5D The monomeric vinyls have little stretch and are generally for flat-sided applications but can be used on gentle curved surfaces. For concave and recessed areas the thicker speciality films should be cut. 2D Generally a conformable polymeric. For convex areas use heat, for concave and recessed areas the film should be cut. 2.5D Conformable thin cast PVC generally 50µ-60µ. The thinner films may whiten if stretched too far. The thicker cast films are still conformable but the texture, heavy flake pattern or gloss level may distort when stretched and heated. For convex, concave and recessed areas use heat and post-heat. 3D Very conformable cast generally 50µ single or 80µ dual layer cast. For convex, concave and recessed areas use heat and post-heat. ‘Solvent permanent’ adhesives Are forgiving at low application temperatures and do not whiten when applied wet and cold. Excellent temperature resistance in service and very durable externally. ‘Permanent clear UV polyacrylate’ adhesives Offer similar performance to ‘solvent permanent’ but without the use of any solvents in the coating process. Very forgiving at low application temperatures, good performance on LSE surfaces and they do not whiten when applied wet and cold. Excellent temperature resistance in service and very durable externally. ‘Acrylic permanent’ adhesive A lower cost version of the ‘solvent permanent’. The adhesive can milk when applied wet and cold and the application temperature range is narrower. ‘Solvent removable’ adhesive A solvent based acrylic adhesive that is more forgiving at low application temperatures and that allows removal of the vinyl from common surfaces without leaving adhesive residue, typically for up to 2 years after application. ‘Removable clear UV polyacrylate’ adhesives Offer similar performance to ‘solvent removable’ but without the use of any solvents in the coating process. Very forgiving at low application temperatures and that allows removal of the vinyl from common surfaces without leaving adhesive residue, typically for up to 2 years after application. ‘Acrylic removable’ adhesive A lower cost version of the ‘solvent removable’ that allows the removal of the vinyl from common surfaces without leaving adhesive residue, typically for up to 1 year after application. The adhesive can milk when applied wet and cold and the application temperature range is narrower. Vertical exposure in the UK. For horizontal exposure (on roofs and bonnets) typically halve the vertical life. For technical advice or support on how to get the best out of our media, please contact our sales team: Phone: Southern Office: Tel: 01753 696977 Northern Office: Tel: 01709 829800 Email: sales@allprint.co.uk CONFORMABILITYADHESIVE TYPES OUTDOOR LIFE TECHNICAL ADVICE SIGN MEDIA 13SIGN MEDIA FLAT SURFACES MID-TERM The vinyl ranges featured in this section are for shorter term use on flat or curved surfaces. They are 1.5D monomeric PVC films and feature either long external life durable solvent acrylic and UV polyacrylate adhesives or acrylics in both permanent and removable grades. • Vehicle graphics, medium term flat-sided • Exhibition and promotional graphics • Directional and retail signage • Window graphics • Indoor and outdoor advertising INTRODUCTION TYPICAL USAGE Buy The MetreBuy The Metre Non-standard roll lengths are surcharged at 33% 14General Information: Great value 70µ film with lots of colours. The 500 Series is available in a range of gloss colours with an acrylic permanent adhesive and also in mattversions of the colours with an acrylic semi-permanent adhesive that can be removed from most substrates up to 1 year after application. General Information: MACal 8200 PRO Series is the most economical Mactac calendered sign vinyl. It features a 75µ film with an acrylic permanent adhesive and is suitable for internal and external applications. Tech Spec: • 1.5D monomeric • 47 gloss colours and 47 mattcolours • External life of 5 years for black and white, 4 years for all the colours and 2 years for the metallics • Acrylic permanent adhesive on the gloss colours • Acrylic semi-permanent adhesive on the mattcolours • 125gsm backprinted kraft liner • Blue contrast liner on whites • Fire rated EN13501-1 • Widths of 615mm and 1230mm • Available in standard roll lengths of 10M, 25M, 50M and ‘buy the metre’ • APS ‘Galaxy’ product codes - APS: 5XX EG or EM Tech Spec: • 1.5D monomeric • 42 gloss colours and 42 mattcolours • External life of 4 years for black and white, 3 years for all the colours and 3 years for the metallics • Acrylic permanent adhesive • 130gsm backprinted kraft liner • Blue contrast liner on whites • Fire rated EN13501-1 • Widths of 615mm and 1230mm • Available in standard roll lengths of 10M, 25M, 50M and ‘buy the metre’ • APS ‘Galaxy’ product codes - APS: 82XX-XX 500 EVENT FILM OPAQUE SERIES 8200 PRO OPAQUE SERIES SIGN MEDIA FLAT SURFACES MID-TERM 15SIGN MEDIA FLAT SURFACES MID-TERM General Information: MACal 8300 PRO Series is a high performance intermediate range featuring a 70µ film and a solvent acrylic permanent adhesive that is suitable for internal and longer term external applications. It is the best gloss monomeric in our range with the least shrinkage of any of the permanent monomeric films we have tested. The shrinkage is also less than some of our competitors’ polymerics. In the UK the external life is 6 years for black and white, 5 years for all the colours and 4 years for the metallics. It has been used trouble free on vehicles with simple curved surfaces for over 20 years now. General Information: Nu-Sign ‘M’ Series 5 year monomeric for flat-sides. Matching shades in gloss and matt monomeric with a medium to high grab clear PermPLUS adhesive on a kraft liner. The key feature is the extra-permanent adhesive that builds adhesion quicker than the competition both wet and dry, even at temperatures down towards 0°C. Easy to weed, even for small letters, and letters can be transferred quickly with a standard application tape. No adhesive milking when wet applied and with excellent adhesion to MDF and painted walls. The film and adhesive combination guarantees low shrinkage. Available in black and white only. Tech Spec: • 1.5D monomeric • 2 gloss colours and 2 mattcolours • External life of 5 years for black and white • Extra permanent clear UV polyacrylate adhesive • 140gsm backprinted kraft liner • Blue contrast liner on whites • Self-extinguishing • Widths of 615mm and 1230mm • Available in standard roll lengths of 10M, 25M, 50M and ‘buy the metre’ • Made in the UK • APS ‘Galaxy’ product codes - APS: MXXX Tech Spec: • 1.5D monomeric • 41 gloss colours and 2 mattcolours • External Life of 6 years for black and white, 5 years for all the colours and 4 years for the metallics in the UK • Solvent permanent acrylic adhesive • 130gsm backprinted kraft liner • Blue contrast liner on whites • Fire rated EN13501-1 • Widths of 615mm, 1230mm and 1524mm for black and white • Available in standard roll lengths of 10M, 25M, 50M and ‘buy the metre’ • APS ‘Galaxy’ product codes - APS: 83XX-XX NU-SIGN ‘M’ SERIES 8300 PRO OPAQUE SERIES 16General Information: MACal 8900 PRO Series is stocked in both mattand gloss. 70µ film and a solvent acrylic semi-permanent adhesive that can be removed without adhesive residue from most surfaces up to 2 years after application and is suitable for internal and external applications onto flat or slightly curved surfaces. All the products are fire rated, in addition the black and white shades are also Class O fire rated. Tech Spec: • 1.5D monomeric • 28 gloss colours and 49 mattcolours • External life of 4 years for black and white, 3 years for all the colours and metallics • Solvent semi-permanent acrylic adhesive • 130gsm backprinted kraft liner • Blue contrast liner on whites • Fire rated EN13501-1 with Class 0 for black and white only • Widths of 615mm, 1230mm and 1524mm for black and white • Available in standard roll lengths of 10M, 25M, 50M and ‘buy the metre’ • APS ‘Galaxy’ product codes - APS: 89XX-XX 8900 PRO OPAQUE SERIES SIGN MEDIA FLAT SURFACES MID-TERM 17SIGN MEDIA CURVED SURFACES LONG TERM The vinyl ranges featured in this section are for longer term use on flat or curved surfaces. They are either 2D polymeric or 2.5D cast PVC films and all feature long external life durable solvent acrylic adhesives. • Vehicle graphics, long term flat or curved • Marine and recreational vehicle graphics • Directional and retail signage • Window graphics • Outdoor advertising • Equipment identification INTRODUCTION TYPICAL USAGE Buy The MetreBuy The Metre Non-standard roll lengths are surcharged at 33% 18Next >