Sign & Digital UK 2012 to focus on environmental issues with Green Trail initiative

Sign & Digital UK 2012 will feature a Green Trail at next year's show, which aims to highlight equipment and products that have an eco-friendly, environmental or ethical element.

Exhibition organisers Faversham House Group said the March event will focus on environmental issues and the importance to print businesses.

Alan Caddick, marketing manager of Sign & Digital UK, said the idea of a green trail emerged two years ago but at the time, environmental issues took a back seat for customer service and business survival.

He added: "We’ve seen renewed interest this year and the Green issue is well and truly back on the agenda.

"In response to this, we’ve decided to implement the Green Trail at Sign & Digital UK 2012 and are inviting our exhibitors to make us aware of any products being shown at the event that will fit this new initiative."

According to the organisers, potential exhibitors have been positive to the Green Trail, which will combine ink and media manufacturers, printers, and recyclable display products.

"All applications for the green trail will be vetted to ensure that they actually do display either an eco-friendly, environmentally aware or ethical element to the product," added Caddick.

Next year's show is set to take place on 27-29 March at Birmingham's NEC and comes on the back of this year's event, which had a 22% increase in visitors compared to the previous event.

Companies that have already signed up include HP, Digital Print Innovations (DPI), EskoArtwork, William Smith, Drytac, and InkTec.

Earlier this year, former Fespa event directors Frazer Chesterman and Marcus Timson announced EcoPrint Europe Live 2012.

According to the organisers, the show will "fill the gap" in the market for a show that focuses on business efficiency and sustainability issues for print service providers.