Roularta Printing is investing this autumn in an extra energy-efficient installation to pack magazines in sustainable paper wraps. This investment is a way for the Roularta Media Group printing works to anticipate the phasing out of plastic packaging and reinforce its position as an innovative, sustainable printing partner for domestic and foreign media titles.

Transition from plastic to paper

The Roularta Printing works, located in Roeselare, are part of Roularta Media Group (RMG). They are investing in the purchase of a Sitma VariaWrap 1050, a specialised system to pack magazines in paper packaging known as ‘paper wraps’. It is a way for the company to prepare itself to meet the increasing demand for sustainable packaging materials.

Steven Renders, Director of Roularta Printing:

“We currently have four packaging systems, two of which can already pack in paper. With the new packaging system, intended exclusively for paper packaging, we are anticipating the phasing out of plastic and hence the growing need for sustainable alternatives. Moreover, the new production line is extremely energy-efficient and perfectly compatible with our automated loading robots.”

Over the past year, several of RMG’s magazines, including Libelle and Trends, have switched to a paper wrap. This initiative has proved to be particularly popular with readers, according to the editorial teams. Dozens of titles are set to follow their example. However, Roularta Printing does not only print its own magazines: half of its printing capacity is used to serve external customers in Belgium and abroad. Roularta Printing is already wrapping many magazines in paper for these external customers as well.

Continuous investments

Roularta Printing is introducing investments like these in innovative, sustainable technologies in rapid succession. Early last year, the printing works also freed up 4.5 million euros for the installation of four eco-efficient drying ovens to reduce CO2 emissions by 14%. Partly thanks to these conscious choices, Roularta Printing has been chosen by renowned publishers such as The New York Times and the Financial Times as a strategic printing partner.

Sustainability context

The investment in sustainable packaging is part of the media group’s broader sustainability policy, which is based on four of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Xavier Bouckaert, CEO of RMG:

“Banning plastic is one of the action points we are focusing on within SDG 12, responsible consumption and production. Improving the sustainability of the packaging we use to take our magazines to the subscribers goes much further still. Besides fitting into SDG 12, it is a great example of the ‘brainprint’ we are using to raise awareness of sustainability among our readers and external printing customers (SDG 4: quality education). Given the commercial possibilities for advertisers, who can have a paper wrap printed, the paper wrap also contributes to SDG 8 (economic growth). Finally, banning plastic also benefits biodiversity (SDG 13: climate action).”