Singapore, May 21, 2009 - SATO,
a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC)
industry and a leader in barcode printing, labelling, and EPC/RFID
solutions has reiterated its commitment to environmental protection with
the announcement of numerous ‘Green’ initiatives worldwide. At the same
time, it continues to invest in its Green Solutions as the demand for
environmentally-conscious products and services grows. This underscores
the company’s global long-term strategic focus on sustainability to
enable its customers, through the use of auto identification
technologies, to improve productivity and conserve resources.
The SATO Green Labels, an important component of its Green Solutions,
have been well received by customers committed to environmental
sustainability, especially those focusing on the reduction of their
environmental load arising from paper waste. The SATO Green Labels apply
the same 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principles to its product design
and production, including the use of environmentally-friendly materials
and technologies. The SATO Green Labels portfolio include: linerless
labels, recyclable labels, biodegradable labels, plastic-friendly labels
and many others.
SATO continues to work closely with its customers, partners and other
stakeholders on practical things that can be done to reduce
environmental impact. Among the green initiatives are: a carbon ribbon
recycling program, where, for instance in Japan, SATO offers to collect
carbon ribbons and helps dispose of them. Various liner recycling
initiatives have been taken to reduce the users’ carbon footprint. SATO
offers customers to register to have their liner waste collected, which
is then sent to the recycle factory and tuned into paperboard. In New
Zealand, SATO has successfully developed labels with fully recyclable
liner substrate, the SATO Eco Labels. To reduce paper waste, SATO has
also developed high quality linerless labels1, which not only offers
reduction in label waste, but also reductions in freight, and storage
costs, as well as the cost of waste disposal. Eco-friendly shipping
alternatives are available in various regions; customers have the option
of using reusable or returnable carton boxes.
At the corporate level, SATO continues its participation in the resource
recycling network consortium responsible for the setting up of the
infrastructure for tracking and tracing of recycled resources and
ensuring of their safety. RFID technology is used to trace and control
the movement the recycled substances, from where the wastes originate to
their final reuse as resources or in products. SATO also continues its
active participation in the Afforestation Project in Laos led by Oji
Paper, which to date, March 2009, has seen the plantation of more 23.25
million trees.
“SATO has a history of meeting environmental challenges through
innovation. The current economic uncertainty will not affect our
commitment to providing sustainable solutions by continuing to innovate
with best-in-class products in with the company’s social and
environmental responsibility, but, importantly offers customer value ",
said Kaz Matsuyama, Managing Director of SATO International.
For more information on local SATO Green Initiatives, please contact
your local SATO representative or the SATO office nearest to you.
1 Linerless labels are pressure sensitive labels without a release
liner. The labels are converted by adding a silicone layer to the
facestock, which eliminates the need for a release liner.
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About SATO
SATO is a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection
(AIDC) industry and the inventor of the world’s first electronic thermal
transfer barcode printer. It revolutionised the barcoding industry by
introducing the Data Collection System (DCS) & Labelling concept – a
total barcode and labelling solution providing high quality barcode
printers, scanners/hand-held terminals, label design software and
consumables. SATO is one of the first in the industry to introduce a
complete, multi-protocol EPC-compliant, UHF RFID solution.
SATO is publicly listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange in
Japan. It has worldwide offices in the United States, Belgium, France,
Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia,
New Zealand, Thailand and China. For the fiscal year ended March 31,
2009, it reported revenues of US$776 million.
About SATO International
SATO’s international global headquarters, SATO International Pte. Ltd.
is located in Singapore. Previously an international division, it was
incorporated as a holding company in Singapore in 2001 to oversee the
sales, marketing and customer services activities of all its Group
Member Companies. More information about SATO International can be found
at www.satoworldwide.com.
Contact:
Yuji Shimizu (Mr)
Senior Manager, Corporate Planning
SATO International PTE. LTD.
438A, Alexandra Road #05-01/04
Alexandra Technopark
Singapore 119967
Tel: (65) 6271-2122
Fax: (65) 6271-2151
Email: communications@sato-int.com