Thermal Transfer Ribbons with environmental benefits

ARMOR-IIMAK partners can respond to market growing concerns with tangible ribbon environmental benefits. By investing in Thermal Transfer ribbon eco-design, ARMOR-IIMAK offers sustainable alternatives, allowing ribbon users to follow their sustainable development concerns.

Environmental performance is at the heart of ARMOR-IIMAK industrial strategy.

For the 14th consecutive year, ARMOR GROUP (to which ARMOR-IIMAK belongs) is a member of the UN Global Compact and is awarded the Ecovadis gold medal since 2020 by showing a continuous commitment towards socially responsible programs. In addition to this 80% of ARMOR-IIMAK facilities are backed by the ISO 14001 which recognizes out the requirements for an environmental management system.

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Thinner PET Thermal Transfer ribbons available in the ARMOR-IIMAK range today :

Thermal Transfer ribbons using less plastics

ARMOR-IIMAK is developing a new generation of ribbons produced on a 4µ PET base film. This represents up to 12% plastic reduction for each roll. For ARMOR-IIMAK, this is not just a change of PET thickness; it is a total redesign of the making processes. But it’s clearly worth the effort !

What’s the Thermal Transfer environmental benefit?
For an application using 6,000 ribbons per year with a standard roll configuration (110mm x 300m), switching to 4µ based ribbons = 100 kg of plastic saved which corresponds to more than 3000 plastic bottles.

100% solvent free Thermal Transfer ribbons

ARMOR-IIMAK has developed and patented a 100% solvent free industrial process for its Thermal Transfer ribbons: it is called SolFree®. When you select a SolFree product, it has generated 365g less CO2 emissions compared to a similar ribbon made with a traditional production process.

What’s the Thermal Transfer environmental benefit?
For an application using 6,000 ribbons per year with a standard roll configuration 110mm x 300m, switching to a SolFree roll corresponds to 2 tonnes of CO2 saved, equivalent to a single one way flight between Chicago and Tokyo (10 000km).

SolFree ribbons available in the range today :

Reduce and recover Thermal Transfer waste

ARMOR-IIMAK is determined to reduce the footprint of its products through continuous improvement in production waste management and by finding alternatives for used rolls.

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PET production waste

100% recovery of PET production

In many industries, consumer or industrial plastic waste are just landfilled or incinerated. Through a true waste management program, ARMOR-IIMAK has minimized the impact of its 13 production sites.

0% landfilled
Thermal Transfer film production wastes have no impact on soil

100% recovered
Depending on local regulations ARMOR-IIMAK film wastes are preferably used as Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF). In some regions, ARMOR-IIMAK films are destroyed through Incineration with Energy Recovery (IER) processes that generates electricity.

Rec’Pet: the ultimate ribbon recovery solution

To respond to the growing concern of companies for their waste management, ARMOR-IIMAK is offering Rec’Pet Partner: a dedicated collection and recovery program for used rolls.

100% operational in France, USA and Singapore

Choosing Rec’Pet Partner enables you to :

  • Eliminate burial and landfill of ribbons
  • Encourage circular economy
  • Anticipate new laws and taxes for plastic waste
  • Adopt a more sustainable business practice

Minimize thermal transfer ribbon manufacturing impact

In order to reduce its carbon footprint ARMOR-IIMAK constantly strives to control the impact of its activities, targeting solutions producing fewer emissions.

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Favor renewable green energies

In most countries where ARMOR-IIMAK has Thermal Transfer production sites, the company selects energy suppliers producing electricity from hydroelectric sources.

  • ARMOR-IIMAK main manufacturing site in France (95% of total thermal transfer film production)
  • 58% electricity from renewable sources
  • ARMOR-IIMAK 2nd coating site located in China (5% of total thermal transfer film production)
  • 43% electricity from renewable sources

Reduce and re-use Thermal Transfer solvent

Solvent is a key component used within the manufacturing process of Thermal Transfer ribbons. After the evaporation stage, solvents are collected and treated through two Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTO) to produce thermal energy for the factory enabling reduction of gas and electricity consumption.
91% production solvents recovered into factory energy. Over the last 5 years ARMOR-IIMAK has also reduced the quantity of solvent for each square meter of thermal transfer film produced by 15%.

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Comply with environmental regulation

ARMOR-IIMAK is committed to produce and market Thermal Transfer ribbons in respect of stringent regulations targeting better environment protection.

  • REACH – SVHC Free : Using no Substance of Very High Concern
  • Biocides free : 528/2012/EC
  • Persistent Organic Pollutants free : 2019/1021/EC
  • Heavy Metals free : 2011/65/EC
  • Phenol free : No BPA or BPS
  • OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 : Free from harmful substances. Textile Industry ATX 1, ATX 7 and ATX 9
  • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) :Does not contain persistent, bio accumulative and toxic chemicals
Need more information?
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