A broad international coalition of companies, brands, technology partners and industry organisations recently launched the Sustainable Print Manifesto, an independent initiative that aims to provide a practical and globally applicable framework for strengthening sustainability in all segments of the printing industry, including packaging, labels and industrial applications. The initiators start from the observation that sustainability efforts today are often fragmented, driven by local regulations, technological limitations or individual business strategies. The manifesto aims to transcend this fragmentation and serve as a shared frame of reference that encourages cross-border cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The document has been deliberately drafted in a technology- and application-neutral manner and is aimed at all players in the value chain, from design and material selection to production, logistics and end-of-life. This makes it particularly relevant to the packaging sector, where sustainability is increasingly intertwined with functional requirements, brand reputation and regulations. By taking material use, recycling and local collection systems into account at the design stage, packaging can be produced not only in a more environmentally friendly way, but also more efficiently and consistently.
At the heart of the manifesto are nine concrete principles that companies can apply immediately without major investments or radical process changes. They are based on life-cycle thinking and focus on limiting material use and waste, choosing inks and substrates with a lower environmental impact, reducing energy and water consumption, avoiding overproduction and focusing on transparent, measurable communication about environmental impact. For packaging printing, this means, among other things, that finishes and coatings are only used when they offer functional or commercial added value and do not have a negative impact on the recyclability of the packaging.
It is striking that the manifesto was not only developed by technology and printing companies, but also in close collaboration with brands and retailers. As a result, it is more in line with the concrete expectations of the market and can help to simplify and objectify the dialogue within the chain. The initiative does not seek to replace existing standards or certifications, but acts as a neutral “north star” that helps companies structure choices and set priorities within their sustainability strategy.
The initiators are calling on organisations worldwide to support the manifesto and actively participate in a growing network around sustainable print production. Through collaboration, shared definitions and transparent data, innovation and cost reduction can go hand in hand, while the sector positions itself more strongly as a sustainable partner within the broader manufacturing industry. Various sector organisations, including the Belgian VIGC, also support the initiative, which underlines the importance of knowledge sharing and cross-sector collaboration. For Belgian packaging companies, the Sustainable Print Manifesto can therefore serve as a valuable frame of reference for making sustainability actions more concrete and better aligned with the expectations of customers, brands and policymakers.
IBE-BVI members can request PDF version of the manifesto here upon simple request.
