Operations Philosophy.
Novus Holdings runs high quality processes with the least environmental impact. We are dedicated to creating a cleaner and greener culture by raising awareness of environmental issues, and strive to implement the latest applicable technologies across our business.
As a result, we eliminate emissions and reduce our carbon footprint in a variety of ways. We have an extensive network of operations which facilitates delivery and local print distribution; a digital workflow system that includes digital proofing is used across all operations to reduce transport needs; full in-house service from pre-press to finishing is offered, minimising transport requirements; bulk ink deliveries further decrease requirements as well as the impact on landfills; and, automated systems in production processes reduce energy requirements and improve efficiency.
Novus Holdings has taken the lead in the South African print industry in recognising the impact of print production processes on natural resources and implements practices and policies to minimise these effects. The company has invested vast sums in environmentally responsible practices to reduce, re-use and recycle while still delivering superior products.
Group Environmental Policy Statement.
Responsible Forestry.
Under Paarl Media Group name, Novus Holdings was the first African printing organisation to receive FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) FSC-C022948 CoC (Chain of Custody) certification – not available at Novus Labels, Correll Tissue and ITB Plastics.
Novus Holdings also holds PEFC™ (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification™) at Novus Print: Montague Gardens – Web, Novus Print: KwaZulu-Natal and Novus Print: Montague Gardens – Sheetfed & Digital.
Both FSC® and PEFC™ are independent verifications that the products printed can be traced back from their point of origin to responsible, well-managed forestry, controlled and recycled resources.
Customers can choose from a range of international and local environmentally sustainable paper stock options.
Heatset Web Offset Printing
Centralised Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers (RTO’s) were installed on all web presses to eliminate emissions, in accordance with stringent international standards. The result is that air released during production is free of odour, visual smoke, and polluting substances. Energy is recovered from the oxidation process to be re-utilised in the drying section, vastly reducing gas energy consumption.
Traditionally, a volatile organic compound (VOC), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), was used as an additive in dampening systems. Its fumes are toxic and it has a low flash point which results in fire and safety hazards in the workplace. We implemented an alcohol free printing process on all web offset presses, which offers lower ink and water settings along with the ability to print a given density using an ink film that is not diluted by alcohol. The result is better quality printing with sharper dots and fewer tendencies for emulsification.
Sheetfed Printing
The Komori presses utilised produce no emissions. Their KHS Inking System keeps paper waste to absolute minimum levels. There is also reduced solid waste, energy consumption and use of chemicals. The presses accommodate alcohol-free printing using eco-friendly inks, which allow for excellent stability and performance, even at the highest speeds.
Coldset Printing
The Coldset web offset printing process allows ink to dry naturally through absorption. The process is much simpler than other printing methods and is therefore more energy efficient and very environmentally friendly. As a result, there are no polluting emissions with paper and plates all being recycled.
Publication Gravure Printing
Base cylinders are coated with a separating solution to prevent the skin from sticking to the base copper. After printing, the skin is stripped off and shredded, and then sold to an agent and exported. Further recycling takes place with copper also recovered from the excess that builds up in the copper sulphate solution used in the plating process.
Toluene is a thinning agent used in gravure inks to ensure low viscosity. This allows the ink to be drawn easily into the engraved cells on the cylinders that are then transferred onto the substrate. Typical press-ready gravure inks are 20% ink solids and 80% solvent. This also facilitates rapid drying to prevent smudging as the volatile solvents quickly evaporate in the hot dryers after each printing station. In our process, up to 95% of the Toluene is recovered and sold back to the ink manufacturers for re-use.
Upgraded Waste System
An upgraded paper waste and dust solution has been installed at Novus Print: Montague Gardens – Web, using the energy efficient HÖCKER system. It consists of individual units – a dust extraction system for the offset and gravure presses; a waste extraction system for the offset and gravure presses; and, a waste extraction system for trims, binders, trimmers and guillotines. A HÖCKER system has also been installed at Novus Print: KwaZulu-Natal. The result is that compacting production by-product to a fraction of their original volume reduces storage and disposal costs.
Heatset Web Offset Printing
Centralised Regenerative Thermal Oxidisers (RTO’s) were installed on all web presses to eliminate emissions, in accordance with stringent international standards. The result is that air released during production is free of odour, visual smoke, and polluting substances. Energy is recovered from the oxidation process to be re-utilised in the drying section, vastly reducing gas energy consumption.
Traditionally, a volatile organic compound (VOC), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), was used as an additive in dampening systems. Its fumes are toxic and it has a low flash point which results in fire and safety hazards in the workplace. We implemented an alcohol free printing process on all web offset presses, which offers lower ink and water settings along with the ability to print a given density using an ink film that is not diluted by alcohol. The result is better quality printing with sharper dots and fewer tendencies for emulsification.
Sheetfed Printing
The Komori presses utilised produce no emissions. Their KHS Inking System keeps paper waste to absolute minimum levels. There is also reduced solid waste, energy consumption and use of chemicals. The presses accommodate alcohol-free printing using eco-friendly inks, which allow for excellent stability and performance, even at the highest speeds.
Coldset Printing
The Coldset web offset printing process allows ink to dry naturally through absorption. The process is much simpler than other printing methods and is therefore more energy efficient and very environmentally friendly. As a result, there are no polluting emissions with paper and plates all being recycled.
Publication Gravure Printing
Base cylinders are coated with a separating solution to prevent the skin from sticking to the base copper. After printing, the skin is stripped off and shredded, and then sold to an agent and exported. Further recycling takes place with copper also recovered from the excess that builds up in the copper sulphate solution used in the plating process.
Toluene is a thinning agent used in gravure inks to ensure low viscosity. This allows the ink to be drawn easily into the engraved cells on the cylinders that are then transferred onto the substrate. Typical press-ready gravure inks are 20% ink solids and 80% solvent. This also facilitates rapid drying to prevent smudging as the volatile solvents quickly evaporate in the hot dryers after each printing station. In our process, up to 95% of the Toluene is recovered and sold back to the ink manufacturers for re-use.
Upgraded Waste System
An upgraded paper waste and dust solution has been installed at Paarl Media Cape using the energy efficient HÖCKER system. It consists of individual units – a dust extraction system for the offset and gravure presses; a waste extraction system for the offset and gravure presses; and, a waste extraction system for trims, binders, trimmers and guillotines. A HÖCKER system has also been installed at Paarl Media KZN. The result is that compacting production by-product to a fraction of their original volume reduces storage and disposal costs.