Clean printing technology in Zambia

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday October 11, 2010 00:00

Compared to conventional printing, the clean printing technology uses organic materials like soya beans which, unlike petroleum-based inks and other toxic solvents employed in conventional printing, are environmentally friendly.

The Operations Director of New Horizon Printing Press, Nehme Moukeiber, says embracing the clean business mechanism has already set them apart from the competition and gained them a number of corporate clients, including Parmalat, the Zain mobile network and British American Tobacco.  Moukeiber says because it takes time to make people part with their traditional way of doing things, New Horizons has embarked on vigorous marketing of its green printing technology.

'We are receiving a positive response,' he says. Serious business people would know that it is best to invest in something that will sustain their business.' As the adverse effects of climate change continue to make businesses collapse, clean technology is no longer an option for the business community,' he adds. 'Conventional printing leads to carbon saturation,' he says.

'And as sound business people, we have to mitigate. This business move shows the company's social responsibility through the promotion of environmental harmony which also enhances our image as a business.' 

New Horizons is in the right business direction because it is the first printing house in Zambia to procure the technology whose patent is held by HP Brussels.

'Currently there are just five of them in the region, four of them in South Africa,' he says.

Though more expensive, clean printing technology produces high odourless quality work, in a working environment free of toxic odours.

'It is an expensive procedure, but it is worth the cost,' Mouheiber says. 'Organic materials are costly, and we only import them from HP Brussels.'