Environmental

Conservation of a natural world

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Tackling global environmental challenges together 

The rapid changes taking place in society and in the built and natural environments are having a profound effect on the environment. All of us — governments, NGOs, corporations and individuals — have a shared responsibility to protect and preserve the environmental balance.



Key environmental challenges 

Key challenges relating to the global environment include:
 
All these problems have led to the threat of extinction of around a million animal and plant species — many within decades, and more than ever before in human history.  


Environmental initiatives at Konica Minolta 

As part of our broader ESG commitments, Konica Minolta is committed to contributing positively to its own environmental impact and that of its customers and partners. Our activities on climate change, the circular economy, and cutting pollution are integral to our commitment and include the following.
 

Climate change and climate mitigation 

  • A commitment to net zero. For example, we've committed to becoming net zero by 2050, driving our global CO2 emissions to zero compared to fiscal year 2005 levels in procurement, production, distribution, sales and service and product use.  
  • Switching to renewable energy to reduce CO2 and the production of other harmful greenhouse gases. As a member of RE100, we're committed to obtaining 100% of the electricity we use from renewable energy sources by 2050. Konica Minolta's European headquarters and many subsidiaries already use 100% (or nearly 100%) green electricity, as do three of our factories. 

Resources and the circular economy  

  • In 2050, we aim to make our products from more than 90% circulated resources (recycled materials and biomaterials). We will achieve this by: 
    • Increased reuse of plastics. For instance, we use of up to 60% recycled materials in our toner bottles and up to 44% in the casings of our office print devices.

Konica Minolta’s products are certified with proven labels & standards

Blue Angel



The Blue Angel mark was established in 1978. It is now one of the best-known ecological labels. Konica Minolta systems were the first laser-based copier systems worldwide de to be awarded in 1992. Nearly all of the current office devices sold in Germany carry this label. All devices comply with the requirements of the strict German label even those sold outside Germany.

De-inking



The removal of ink or toner from paper is crucial for the production of recycled paper. This is guaranteed with Konica Minolta’s toners (e.g.Simitri® HD & Simitri® V), which achieved top results in the INGEDE deinking test. 

ECO LEAF



ECO LEAF is a Japanese label that provides information on the environmental impact of a product, based on quantitative measurement of the environmental performance through the product’s entire lifecycle, from raw materials procurement to production, sales, usage, disposal and recycling. Konica Minolta provides environmental impact data relating to most of its equipment through the ECO LEAF. 

Food Contact



The product properties of our Simitri® toner mean that TÜV Rheinland recognises it as 100% harmless for indirect food contact. This food safety certification allows it to be used for applications such as food packaging or food label printing.

EN 71 (Toy Safety)

EN71 – Sunchine Inspection Service

This norm ensures that toys, especially those made for children, are safe, usually through the application of set safety standards. The European standard EN 71 is a broad framework of very different requirements. Konica Minolta printouts were tested according EN 71-3 (Specification for migration of certain elements) and EN 71-9 (Organic chemical compounds – Requirement) successfully. That means that a toy can contain printed parts, like a puzzle piece and the printout will be safe. In 2021, we started with AccurioJet KM-1e, AccurioPress C14000 and AccurioPress C7100. The first devices can be used for this purpose and the list of tested devices will be enhanced over the years. 

Seawater resistance



There is a British standard for label and for colorants, which ensures your imprint will survive a certain time being expose to seawater. By using the corresponding label and our awarded devices you will still be able to read the content of your printed message. 

Fogra

The Fogra VPS (Validation Printing System) certification is aimed at digital printing system providers and serves as proof of the conformity of their product with the criteria of ISO 12647-8. The print production devices are checked for various printing conditions covering a wide range of capabilities. These included PDF/X conformance, proofing substrate colour, gloss and fluorescence, colour accuracy, uniformity, permanence, and light fastness. Other factors were fading, long and short-term repeatability, print rub resistance, colorimetric tone value transfer, tone value reproduction limits, image register and resolving power and margin information. Print Providers benefit from a proven and certified production devices with the guarantee of highest print quality and reliability. 

Document authenticity by PTS

 

There is an Ordinance for Lawyers and Notaries in Germany (DONot), § 29 that gives the framework for making manipulation to printouts impossible. Documents should be very fine and detailed; also, every attempt to change the content of prints must be visible. The majority of our devices is able to fulfil these criteria.  

An iterative process 

We've been working to reduce our environmental impact for many years, but are well aware it's an iterative process that doesn't end. We know there are areas where we have the potential to improve, and we're committed to doing so: we view our current activities as a starting point on which to build.


 

IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Sustainability Programs and Services Hardcopy 2023 Vendor Assessment

Konica Minolta has been named a ‘Leader’ in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Sustainability Programs and Services Hardcopy 2023 Vendor Assessment (doc #US49892223, December 2023). The IDC MarketScape states that, “Organizations should consider Konica Minolta when looking for a supplier that is taking decisive actions to reduce climate impact, while promoting the effective use of resources for customers and within its own supply chain.”
 

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