Print Shop in the Wetterau Region Takes Germany's First Climate-Neutral Press from Heidelberg

• Speedmaster SM 74 enables alcohol-reduced production and cuts waste with Prinect Axis Control
• All print production for 2009/2010 already CO2-offset
• Environmental protection part of the corporate philosophy of Wetterauer Druckerei in Friedberg since 1976

Wetterauer Druckerei in Friedberg recently obtained a certificate for the first climate-neutral printing press in Germany. The Speedmaster SM 74 five-color press with coating unit from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) was installed in the spring of this year. The greenhouse gases produced while manufacturing the press have been calculated and compensated. The calculations took into account all relevant parameters - from the extraction of raw materials and the production of materials to the manufacture and testing of the press and its transportation to the print shop. The new Speedmaster SM 74 uses less IPA (isopropyl alcohol) than conventional presses, which benefits the environment and employee health and creates a clean pressroom environment. The press is also equipped with the Prinect Axis Control standard measuring and control system, which measures color values in the quality control strip and then regulates the color online. This saves paper waste, which is a crucial way of making production operations more resource friendly.

"We have been consistently expanding and redesigning our print shop in line with ecological considerations since 1976," explains Andreas Kugland, owner of Wetterauer Druckerei. "It is our job to combine economy and ecology, while also ensuring perfect quality for the customer. This is exactly what we have achieved thanks to the new Speedmaster SM 74," adds Kugland, who previously worked exclusively with presses from other manufacturers.

The presses print on FSC-certified paper from sustainably managed forests. And the company has switched over entirely to green electricity from power supplier OVAG Energie. Moreover, Wetterauer Druckerei has already manufactured all annual production for 2009 and 2010 in a carbon-neutral manner according to Gold Standard. As a certified member of the climate initiative of the print and media associations, the print shop offsets the volume of CO2 generated through the production of print products by investing in climate protection projects.

Wetterauer Druckerei und Verlag was founded in 1934. Now in its third generation, this fully integrated, cutting-edge print shop currently employs a workforce of 20. Topname manufacturers and advertising agencies are included among the core customers from Germany and beyond who rely on this print shop's services and appreciate its environmentally aware approach to business.

Figure 1:
Some proud faces at the presentation of the certificate for Germany's first climate-neutral printing press: (from left to right) Walter Nold, Sales Manager Heidelberg Central Region; Michael Breuer, print shop manager, Wetterauer Druckerei; Michael Hasenfratz, sales representative, Heidelberg Central Region; Andreas Kugland, owner of Wetterauer Druckerei; and Reginald Rettig, Chairman of the Management Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Vertrieb Deutschland GmbH.

Figure 2:
The Speedmaster SM 74 five-color press at Wetterauer Druckerei is equipped with the Prinect Axis Control standard measuring and control system. This saves paper waste, which is a crucial way of making production operations more resource friendly.


Further information for journalists:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Public Relations
Hilde Weisser
Phone: +49 (0)6221 92 5066
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 5069
E-mail: hilde.weisser@heidelberg.com