Ishida makes key sustainability move with eco-friendly stands
pic: Ishida
Packaging systems business Ishida Europe has agreed a deal enabling the company to deliver carbon neutral exhibition stands at a number of key events, as it seeks to enhance its overall environmental performance, writes Neill Barston.
As the company explained, it is working with German live communication specialist “mac. brand spaces” in the design and building of stands that focus on major sustainability criteria such as reduce, reuse and recycle.
The company has previously played a notable role in a number of trade exhibitions relating to the confectionery and snacks sector, including ProSweets, Anuga FoodTec and Interpack, among many others, and its latest move stands as a proactive measure to deliver on core sustainability goals, which have centred on reducing energy consumption of its equipment ranges, including weighing systems.
For each trade show, a carbon footprint will be calculated. Afterwards, the amount of carbon dioxide created by the stand will be neutralised through compensation projects. “mac. brand spaces” works only with reforestation projects certified under the Golden Standard for the Global Goals. Ishida’s forthcoming participation at IFFA and VIV Europe will the company’s first stands designed to these principles.
“Exhibitions are a vital part of the global packaging and food markets, and we know our customers value the opportunity to assess our equipment and discuss their specific requirements will our experts face-to-face – especially after the two years of the pandemic,” comments Steve Jones, Ishida Europe’s Marketing Director.
“Nevertheless, we realise that such activities also have environmental consequences and we therefore wanted to play an active role in minimising the impact of our participation as part of our wider sustainability commitments.”
As the business added, for each stand, the mac. design team will consider the need for every component in order to reduce the use of new materials, as well as seeking to replace items with sustainable alternatives wherever possible. Components are also now designed to be reused and retained for future events, while used elements are sent for recycling.
Examples for Ishida stands include multiple-use two-piece ceiling signs, fabric to replace printed panels for the backwalls, recyclable floor tiles and the reuse of decorative elements. Where Ishida shares a stand with a third party and cannot validate its full carbon impact at an exhibition, reductions in carbon footprint will be made to achieve as close to carbon neutral as possible, by focusing on opportunities to reduce, replace, reuse or recycle materials.
“This new improved approach, founded on sustainability, will reduce the carbon footprint of our exhibition attendance whilst continuing to evolve the established Ishida identity, this is a clear win win,” added Steve Jones.
Sustainability continues to be a critical criterion in the design of Ishida equipment. The company’s most recent multihead weigher range offers a power consumption reduction of approximately 20% over previous generations, while its X-ray inspection systems have a built-in feature that puts the machines into stand-by mode following spells of inactivity. The latest Ishida tray sealers have been designed to reliably handle new sustainable pack formats, and the company’s Inspira VFFS technology for snacks bagmakers helps to eliminate packaging waste by ensuring consistent machine set-up.
Ishida’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its recent accreditation with ISO 14001. As explained by David Cleaver, Ishida’s Environmental, Health & Safety, Facilities Manager, “ISO 14000 is a range of standards related to environmental management that exists to help organisations minimise how their operations negatively affect the environment, comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally tailored requirements. Ishida was recently awarded the 14001 standard and is committed to maintain the ISO 14001 accreditation via internal and external audits.”
