BE GREEN
GREEN
Green is not a label — it’s how we work. Sustainable production is about making choices. In materials, energy and processes — and in how you sustain those choices over the long term. At Be Ink, we make those decisions consciously, because craftsmanship and responsibility are inseparable to us.
Using the Milieubarometer, we have been systematically mapping our environmental impact since 2009. Over that time, our company, our scale and our energy supply have evolved. That’s why, for comparison and steering, we focus primarily on recent years — where our current way of working is clearly reflected.
What we do in practice
Our day‑to‑day operations
- We print using bio-based inks
- We use chemical-free offset plates
- We separate waste and, wherever possible, offer it for recycling and reuse
- We work with paper from responsibly managed forests (FSC® certified)
- We generate a significant share of our electricity ourselves, with 199 solar panels on our roof
- Heat released during the production process is recovered and reused
Not every sustainable choice is straightforward. We therefore carefully balance impact, feasibility and cost — because sustainability must be viable in the long run.
CO₂ EMISSIONS 2024: 93 TONNES
Our CO₂ footprint in 2024 amounted to approximately 93 tonnes. This increase compared to 2021 is linked to a higher level of activity. At the same time, clear improvements have been achieved in energy efficiency and material use per tonne of printed output. As a result, CO₂ emissions per unit of product have remained limited, despite the growth of our activities.
WINDENERGY
Purchasing green power is part of corporate responsibility. Since January 2017, we have sourced our electricity from renewable wind energy. And we will continue to do so.
ELECTRICITY
In 2024, electricity consumption was reduced to approximately 375 kWh per tonne of printed output.
This marks a substantial improvement compared to 790 kWh per tonne in 2021 and 545 kWh per tonne in 2019. Energy savings are a key priority. Targeted investments, including the replacement of obsolete installations with energy‑efficient systems, have structurally lowered energy consumption per tonne of print.
VOC EMISSIONS
IPA‑reduced offset printing is therefore no longer an experiment, but a structural element of our production processes.
Paper Waste
In 2024, we sent approximately 43 tonnes of waste paper for recycling.
This is lower than in previous years and reflects a further reduction in paper consumption as well as cutting and start‑up waste. More importantly, paper waste in 2024 was reduced to approximately 0.3%. Reducing waste is more effective than additional recycling. With this low level of paper loss, we perform better than the industry average for comparable offset printing companies with a limited workforce.
Mobility
In 2024, our CO₂ footprint was largely driven by goods transport and commuting. Together, these two areas account for the largest share of our total CO₂ emissions. Within our team of 16 employees, the use of (electric) bicycles and public transport for commuting is increasing. However, with an average commuting distance of approximately 37 km per day, the car remains the most commonly used mode of transport for many employees.
WASTE SEPARATION RATE
We offer paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, aluminium offset plates, wood and cartridges for reuse and recycling. In total, this represents approximately 96% of our waste.The industry average is around 85%.
NATURAL GAS
In 2024, we disconnected our gas supply and fully transitioned to electric heating and cooling. As a result, fossil gas has been completely eliminated from our building‑related energy use. This step aligns with our broader ambition to electrify wherever possible and to reduce our dependence on fossil energy.
WASTE
Hazardous (chemical) waste is now almost eliminated.
In 2024, only 0.9% (1.7 kg per tonne of printed output) of our waste consisted of hazardous waste, compared to an industry average of approximately 2.5%.