IMP takes pride in prioritizing sustainability. Our goal is to lead efforts in reducing plastic waste, minimizing pollution, and promoting a greener printing industry. It’s not a single effort that helps IMP stand out as a sustainable partner, it’s multiple actions that together position IMP as a leading thermal transfer ribbon manufacturer in sustainability. When converters and brand owners ask what you are doing to drive sustainability, feel confident that IMP’s efforts will support your desire for a cleaner world.

Reducing Plastic Usage – Thinner ribbons.

Did you know...

In the USA, Americans buy 29 billion water bottles a year. Only 1 out of 6 bottles are recycled and 80% of them end up in landfills. It takes up to 1000 years for one bottle to decompose.

A customer with an annual volume of 5000 ribbons, 110mm x 450m, who uses a 3.5 micron film ribbon, can save approximately 4200 plastic bottles from ending up in a landfill.

One significant step towards sustainability in thermal transfer ribbons is the use of 3.5 - 4.0 micron film, which helps reduce plastic usage significantly. This thinner film results in a 12% to 22% reduction in plastic per roll compared to traditional thermal transfer ribbons.

Not only does this drastically reduce the amount of plastics headed to the landfill, but it also results in:

• Longer ribbon length – allowing fewer roll changes and reducing printer downtime
• Less printhead heat required; saving time and money replacing printheads because fewer replacement printheads will be needed.
• Runs at higher speeds which improves overall printing productivity.

Thinner PET Thermal Transfer ribbons available:

• Z203 super premium wax/resin
• Z300 premium resin
• Z214 near edge wax/resin
• Z214W near edge wax/resin white
• Z214S near edge wax/resin silver
• Z314 near edge resin

Cores and Cartons

We are also mindful of reducing plastic in ancillary components such as cores and cartons. Instead of using plastic or virgin paperboard, 100% recycled paperboard cores and cartons are responsibly sourced, further minimizing environmental impact.

Solvent-Free Coating Process

To ensure sustainability, IMP uses a solvent-free coating process for some of our formulations. By eliminating the use of solvents, both air and water pollution can be significantly reduced, resulting in a cleaner and healthier environment. This decreases our carbon footprint by up to 70% versus the traditional process.

Halogen-Free Composition

Thermal transfer ribbons that are halogen-free are increasingly becoming the preferred choice in eco-conscious applications. By eliminating halogens, such as chlorine, fluorine, and bromine, from the ribbon composition, the environmental impact is further reduced. IMP offers Halogen-free ribbons for some of our formulations.

Cleaner Manufacturing

In the manufacturing process of thermal transfer ribbons, the implementation of a solvent recovery system and a regenerative thermal oxidizer is crucial for sustainability. Our solvent recovery system (SRS) helps recover 95% of the solvents used in the production process, not only preventing their release into the environment but allowing for their re-use in thermal transfer ribbon production. The regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) also helps eliminate harmful emissions by effectively treating the off-gases from the production process.

You can rely on IMP to remain on the leading edge of sustainability efforts…

Sustainability is not a single target. It’s fluid, it’s a journey. We strive to do better. Over the last several years, significant strides have been made in sustainability efforts by focusing on reducing plastic usage, adopting a solvent-free coating process, creating halogen-free compositions, using recycled paperboard for cores and cartons, and implementing solvent recovery systems and regenerative thermal oxidizers. These initiatives play a vital role in minimizing the environmental impact of thermal transfer ribbons, contributing to a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment.