March 4, 2024
(press release)
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Print companies are facing tightening European regulations – many now in force - that will adversely impact growing numbers of businesses unless they take action. Regulations covering mineral oils on packaging are also likely to become more restrictive in other countries. Therefore, I would urge companies to contact us so we can help them remain compliant with regulations that will tighten even further from next year. Nuno Sacadura Inkjet Business Development Manager at Konica Minolta Europe Boilerplate About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe Konica Minolta’s journey started 150 years ago, with a vision to see and do things differently. We innovate for the good of society and the world. The same purpose that kept us moving then, keeps us moving now. Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, based in Langenhagen, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan. With its unique expertise in imaging, data processing and data-based decision making, Konica Minolta creates relevant solutions for its customers - small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises and public sector - and solves issues faced by society. As a digital workplace solution provider, Konica Minolta helps its clients to identify and unlock the potential digitalisation holds and reach the next level in the digital maturity of their organisation by rethinking the workplace. In support of an ‘Intelligent connected workplace’, Konica Minolta offers cloud, IT, managed print and video solution services for remote working, collaboration, workflow management and automation and security. The company’s success in driving transformation is also confirmed by IDC, since the ‘IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Print Transformation 2023 Vendor Assessment’ has named Konica Minolta a “Leader” in print transformation. Konica Minolta has been a Microsoft Global Managed Partner since 2021. Konica Minolta's Igniting Print Possibilities offering helps printers, converters and brand owners maximise workflow automation to increase efficiency. The company delivers consultancy in all communication matters as well as top-of-the-line production, packaging as well as label printers. Its finishing devices create print products that stand out and create added value. Konica Minolta has established itself as the production printing market leader for more than a decade in Europe (InfoSource). For an increasing number of organisations, success today is more than the narrow definition of financial prosperity – it also includes protecting the environment and having a positive impact on their workforce as well as the societies they are embedded in. With its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Konica Minolta has pledged to consistently pursue its sustainability and social responsibility goals. The company has been repeatedly recognised for its rich history of social contribution as well as for working towards achieving the SDGs throughout its business and supply chain. Konica Minolta received a GOLD Level Recognition Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability ratings for 2023. For its remote services, Konica Minolta was awarded the prestigious ‘Buyers Lab (BLI) 2023-2024 Pacesetter Award in Remote Service for the Western European market’ from Keypoint Intelligence. Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is represented by subsidiaries and distributors in more than 80 countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. With more than 8,700 employees (as of April 2023), Konica Minolta Europe earned net sales of over EUR 2.26 billion in financial year 2022/2023. Worldwide, the company has over 39,000 employees and is operating in over 150 countries. For more information, please visit https://www.konicaminolta.eu/eu-en/news and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Terms and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged. Contact Team Manager Brand Positioning & Architecture, Content Strategy & Development Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH +49 (0)511 7404-5604
Both the KM-1e with HD and KM-1e models have passed rigorous testing undertaken by PiCA (Prüfinstitut Chemische Analytik GmbHH). The inks - HS101K, HS101C, HS101M, HS101Y – fulfil future requirements from the French Decree about Mineral Oils in Packaging. The specific regulations are Decree no.2020-1725 of 29 December specified in Articles C. 543-45-1 and D.543 of the Environmental Code.
Ever since January 2022, France has prohibited mineral oils on packaging, regulations that were extended a year later to cover unsolicited advertising materials and catalogues for commercial promotions. Starting from January 2025, mineral oils used for printing intended for the general public will also be banned in France.
The substances already covered by the ban are aromatic hydrocarbons of (MOAH) of mineral oil comprising of 1 to 7 aromatic rings and saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) of mineral oil with 16 to 35 carbon atoms. These ink regulations will become even more restrictive from the start of 2025.
However, laboratory experts from Berlin-based PiCA have confirmed that results covering material sample tests on Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1e and KM-1e with HD presses fulfilled requirements. The report stated: “Neither aliphatic (MOSH) or aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) were detected in the specific migration analysis 23-S170-0010B to -0010D. Therefore, no transfer of mineral oil hydrocarbons from the material into the food is to be expected.”
Nuno Sacadura, Inkjet Business Development Manager at Konica Minolta Europe said: “The fact that our flagship AccurioJet KM-1e series UV-LED B2+ presses fulfil future requirements for mineral oil on secondary food packaging regulations yet again underpins our unwavering commitment to sustainability and helping our customers see the potential of digital print in packaging.”
Silke Ehmann-Cotichini
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