Industry Advice Is it time to end plastiphobia?


Not all plastic is bad, and sometimes it’s the right, best or only option. The key, according to Antalis’ product manager for rigid media, Paul Neale, is choosing and using it wisely.


W


hen it comes to visual communications, substrates often need


to be tough, durable, weather resistant, printable and, of course, sustainable. With concern over plastics, in particular


the microplastics that seep into the environment as plastic breaks down, there has been a signifi cant shift to paper-based products. Although paper is a highly sustainable


substrate, it is not always the most sustainable option when it comes to visual communications applications. It’s important to step back to look at the bigger picture. A paper-based board product is not going to be as suitable as a rigid plastic for a long-term exterior application – it would need to be replaced on a regular basis, which all has a carbon footprint. I think the market needs some


reassurance that some, carefully selected, plastics are not just OK to use, but are actually the best material to use; not just for performance, but in terms of sustainability, too.


Polypropylene is a sustainable plastic The good news is that there is a highly sustainable plastic on the market in the form of polypropylene (PP). PP has been around for a long time and is used widely across a number of industries – new cars are made up of around 50% PP (think dashboard, door panels etc.). It is 100% recyclable and can be recycled many times over without losing its strength. The challenge, particularly in the visual


communications sector is the scale of and provision for recycling. Fortunately, we’re seeing scale start to


build as new products come on to the market. And this should only increase as more people recognise PP as a sustainable option. Through our participation in the


ClosedLoop Remanufacturing Scheme, Antalis is supporting customers to recycle PP and keep plastic out of


| 60 | July/August 2024 Priplak R100 has a Green Star System rating of 4 www.signupdate.co.uk


landfi ll. Challenges remain on the requirement to have reasonable volume for recycling, however together we can face these obstacles and do more to recycle a valuable resource. The number of PP-based products


available for visual communications is continually growing, many of them providing sustainable alternatives to PVC and foamboard products. Our Green Star System makes it easier


for customers to identify a product’s environmental credentials. The system awards ratings on a scale of one to fi ve: the more stars, the more sustainable a product is.


The challenge of composite products I acknowledge the challenge of printing rigid PP for many printers. The reality is that around 70% of printers only have roll-fed machines, which means that they have to print on a self-adhesive roll material before applying to the rigid substrate. The problem then becomes the recylability of the PP. Composite products can pose a


signifi cant challenge for recycling. For


Ask questions We know that customers are understandably cautious about using plastics; the reality is, we should be cautious about any product we use. The key is to ask questions. In polypropylene, we have plastic that,


Priplak R100 is made from 100% post-industrial waste


when used appropriately and recycled properly, is a genuine sustainable option.


example, if a PVC-based vinyl is adhered to a rigid PP, it will need to be removed before the PP can be recycled, which isn’t easy or sometimes even possible. Fortunately, Antalis is working with suppliers on the development of a wider range of roll-fed self-adhesive PP, which means composite rigid and roll PP products can be recycled together without the need to separate them.


Is it a green claim or a green fact? Another of the challenges facing the sector is greenwashing. There are some quite wild claims made about sustainability, not just in our industry but across the board, that can make it can be diffi cult for printers and sign makers to know who and what to believe, so it’s encouraging to see that the EU Green Claims Directive is to be introduced. I can’t stress enough how important


it is to work with a reputable supplier. Customers can be reassured that for a product to be awarded our Green Star System ratings we have completed our due diligence in checking its credentials.


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