Printing and Logistics

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the term "sustainability" mean?

The term "sustainability", which is in international use today, refers to the balance between the protection of the environment, economic well-being and the preservation of basic social rights both now and in the future.

Why do companies report on their commitment to sustainability?

The economic, social and ecological conduct of companies, that is, their contribution to "sustained development", is closely monitored by a globally networked public. That is why more and more companies are interested in presenting their activities in a transparent and verifiable way.

What international standards are there for sustainability reporting?

There are the recommendations made by the "Global Reporting Initiative" (GRI). Reports following the GRI are comparable (www.globalreporting.org). A German translation of the GRI can be downloaded from www.globalreporting.org.

What is the history of GRI?

The GRI came about in 1997 as the result of a joint initiative of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the "Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies" (CERES). Today, experts from many fields and continents confer with each other within the framework of the GRI. It is based in Amsterdam.

What are the so-called GRI sustainability indicators?

The GRI indicators relate to the three areas of social conditions, ecology and economy. The aim is to describe the contributions made by companies in these areas, supplemented wherever necessary by facts and figures.

Must all of the sustainability indicators required by the GRI be covered?

The so-called "core indicators" should be taken into account as a minimum. But not all companies have all of the information asked for, or they may wish not to publish it. What is important is that the reasons for non-publication are stated. In general, the more indicators that are documented the better.

Why is Axel Springer committed to the ecological quality of its products?

Axel Springer acknowledges its responsibility towards the environment. The reason is simply that a company that is actively committed to protecting the environment can write better and more credibly about environmental issues.

What are Axel Springer's main ecological objectives?

The company's environmental guidelines and objectives include primarily raising the environmental consciousness of readers, business associates and employees while continuously reducing energy and water consumption, emissions and waste per newspaper and magazine produced.

What do Axel Springer's social guidelines look like?

At the heart of the Axel Springer corporate culture is the human being. Motivated and competent employees will work at making good products. Axel Springer has a long and good tradition of social responsibility. The Board of Management feels itself duty-bound by this tradition: "There will be no social isolation at Springer. Anybody who has served the company with loyalty and commitment for many years and is one day no longer able to, or no longer should continue working with the firm, must be treated decently." says the CEO Mathias Döpfner.

What sustainability activities does Axel Springer pursue in the economic field?

The certification of printing facilities under the Eco-Management & Audit Scheme (EMAS) and the introduction of Environmental Controlling were important steps. Pilot projects serving to make the paper chain transparent as well as our environmental and sustainability reports have repeatedly won awards. For Axel Springer, active sustainability management is an indicator of success-oriented corporate management.

What is publication paper?

All paper types that can be printed on which carry information. In order to satisfy the requirements of printers, publishers and advertising customers, they must offer good printability (such as, for example, even and quick ink acceptance, a smooth surface and adequate opacity – which means that the print must not appear on the other side). In Germany, papers for printing and the press, including newspaper publication paper, are grouped together. They constitute some 50 % of the entire production of paper, cardboard and paperboard.

Where does Axel Springer purchase its publication paper?

The main countries of origin are Sweden, Finland, Germany and Norway. Smaller quantities come from France, Austria, England, Russia and Canada. Please find here the list of suppliers.

How environmentally friendly is the printed paper?

The publishing house advocates a policy of continuous environmental optimization of the production process vis-à-vis the forestry industry and its suppliers of paper, printing machines and printing inks.

Does the huge need for paper not destroy a great amount of forest?

In order to be better able to guarantee the ecological quality of its newspapers and magazines, Axel Springer introduced forestry standards for its suppliers as long ago as 1995. Adherence to these is monitored locally through random checks. In addition, ecological quality certificates for forestry products are gaining in importance today.

How many spruces are processed for a newspaper?

In order to make paper recycling work, fresh fibers must continuously be added, as used paper cannot be reused endlessly.

One spruce yields more than 37,000 pages of publication paper: A model calculation shows that using the fiber gained from an average spruce originating from Swedish forestry (aged between 30 and 60 years) will produce a total of 37,440 pages of newspaper (weight of the paper: 42.5 g per m², format 40 x 57 cm). 13,440 pages are produced from the fresh wood fiber alone and a further 24,000 pages are the result of the use of recycled paper.

Is it possible to use an even greater share of used paper?

All papers produced in Germany are based in the meantime on an average of 65 percent used paper. The collection of used paper is practically exhausted and can hardly be increased. Besides, the quality of the paper would suffer from an even greater share of used paper – and this would reduce printability and tear resistance (important for rotary printing).

In Germany, there is an efficient used paper collection system. Some 80 percent of the newspapers and magazines read are already recycled for the manufacture of paper and cardboard.

How many kinds of paper are there?

Some 3,000 different kinds of paper, cardboard and paperboard. There are four main production groups: graphic papers; packaging cardboard and paper; sanitary papers; and special papers.

Can paper also be made from synthetic fibers?

It is possible to produce something from polyamide or polypropylene that looks and feels like paper. It is particularly tear-resistant, water-repellant and long-lasting. These synthetic papers are used for things like long-lasting documents such as driving licenses or maps. The disadvantage is that synthetics are oil products – a non-renewable resource.

Is there any tropical wood in the newspaper?

No. Tropical wood fibers are too short or too hard for press media paper. No tropical wood is used in Europe for manufacturing press publication paper.

Is newspaper sterile?

Almost. Because of the high temperatures (up to 130 degrees Celcius) in the paper machine, most germs are killed off.

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