Heidelberg launches carbon neutral scheme for Speedmaster presses

Customers investing in the presses will now receive certification showing how many tonnes of carbon have been offset to compensate the greenhouse gas emissions output during the machine manufacturing process.

Matt Rockley, UK marketing manager for B1 and B2 presses at Heidelberg said: "The calculation takes into account both the manufacturing and transport costs from cradle to door.

"The amount of carbon generated varies from press model to press model. The footprint has to be calculated for each bespoke configuration."

The initiative, which costs €1,000 for a B3 press, is the result of a partnership between Heidelberg and Darmstadt University of Technology, which cooperated to calculate the CO2 footprint.

According to Heidelberg, around 220 tonnes of carbon dioxide is generated from the manufacturer of a Speedmaster XL 105-5+L press.

Heidelberg will provide each customer with a certificate that features an ID number that will enable them to track the climate project they support online.

Rockley added: "Heidelberg is the only sheetfed supplier to be able to calculate the CO2 footprint of any press in detail and to offer this carbon balanced option. We believe supporters of sustainability will welcome this development."