DuPont™ Cyrel® ReNew Wins Sustainability Excellence Award

FTA recognizes DuPont flexographic technology for environmental performance

The Flexographic Technical Association has awarded its Sustainability Excellence Award to DuPont Cyrel Solutions for DuPont™ Cyrel® ReNew technology. The award was presented at the FTA’s 2026 FORUM INFOFLEX Awards Banquet in Milwaukee on 26 April 2026. The recognition highlights developments in flexographic platemaking that reduce material consumption and waste in packaging production.

Flexographic printing is a dominant technology in flexible packaging. However, traditional photopolymer plate production involves significant material use, energy consumption, and waste generation. For UK businesses in food manufacturing, retail, and contract packaging, these environmental factors increasingly affect procurement decisions, tender requirements, and supply chain risk assessments.

DuPont’s recognition follows previous certifications for its Cyrel® FAST thermal platemaking system. On 14 April 2026, the system received GreenCircle Certification confirming 20% lower energy consumption compared to solvent-based alternatives. This independent verification provides measurable evidence of environmental performance improvements in commercial printing operations.

Independent verification confirms energy reduction in plate production

The GreenCircle Certification for Cyrel® FAST represents third-party validation of environmental claims. The assessment compared energy consumption during plate production against conventional solvent-based systems. Results showed a verified 20% reduction in energy use during the platemaking process.

This matters because flexographic printing serves industries where packaging volumes are substantial. Food and beverage manufacturers, personal care brands, and pharmaceutical companies all rely on flexographic printing for product packaging. Energy consumption in plate production contributes to the total carbon footprint of packaged goods.

The certification process involved independent analysis of production data, energy measurements, and comparative testing. GreenCircle operates as an independent certification body that verifies environmental performance claims across manufacturing sectors. For businesses evaluating suppliers, third-party certification provides assurance that environmental performance data reflects actual operational results rather than theoretical estimates.

The Cyrel® FAST system eliminates solvent use in thermal platemaking. Traditional solvent-based processes require chemical washing, drying, and disposal of waste solvents. By removing these steps, the thermal system reduces both energy consumption and hazardous waste generation. The technology also accelerates production time, which can improve operational efficiency for converters serving time-sensitive markets.

Material efficiency and plate longevity reduce operational waste

The Cyrel® ReNew technology addresses material waste in plate production. Photopolymer plates have a finite lifespan determined by print run length, storage conditions, and handling practices. When plates degrade, they must be replaced, generating waste and requiring new plate production.

ReNew extends plate longevity through design modifications that maintain print quality over longer production runs. This reduces the frequency of plate replacement, cutting material consumption and disposal costs. For converters operating high-volume print lines, extended plate life directly affects consumables spending and waste management costs.

Material efficiency in packaging production matters increasingly for UK businesses facing scrutiny over plastic waste and circular economy compliance. The Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, which took full effect in 2024, requires businesses to account for packaging materials throughout the supply chain. Reducing material consumption in printing operations contributes to overall packaging waste reduction targets.

Converters serving retail and food service sectors face particular pressure to demonstrate waste reduction. Major retailers have set public commitments to reduce packaging waste and increase recycled content. Suppliers that can document lower material consumption in production processes gain advantages in tender evaluations and contract renewals.

The technology also addresses quality consistency across print runs. Maintaining print quality while extending plate life requires precise control of plate manufacturing and surface treatment. Quality variations can result in rejected print runs, creating additional waste and production delays. Technologies that maintain consistency therefore reduce both waste and operational risk.

Industry recognition reflects broader procurement requirements

The FTA Sustainability Excellence Award recognizes technologies that advance environmental responsibility in flexographic printing. The association represents converters, suppliers, and brand owners across North America. Its awards program evaluates innovations based on measurable environmental improvements and commercial viability.

For UK businesses, similar dynamics are emerging through procurement frameworks and supply chain standards. Public sector procurement increasingly requires suppliers to demonstrate environmental performance through Procurement Policy Note 06/21 on carbon reduction plans. Private sector buyers are implementing comparable requirements through supply chain codes of conduct and ESG procurement criteria.

C-P Flexible Packaging shared recognition in a separate category during the same awards event. The involvement of packaging converters alongside materials suppliers indicates that sustainability performance now spans multiple tiers of the packaging supply chain. UK businesses sourcing packaging must therefore consider environmental performance at both the converter and materials supplier level.

Third-party certifications like GreenCircle provide documentation that supports compliance reporting and procurement responses. When responding to tenders requiring carbon footprint data or environmental management evidence, certified technologies offer verifiable performance metrics. This reduces the documentation burden on individual businesses and provides consistent baselines for comparing suppliers.

The award follows DuPont’s 2024 recognition for its FilmTec™ Nanofiltration portfolio, which received a Sustainable Technology of the Year award. Multiple awards across different product lines suggest sustained investment in environmental performance rather than isolated initiatives. For businesses evaluating long-term supplier relationships, this pattern indicates strategic commitment rather than opportunistic marketing.

Commercial implications for packaging supply chains

Energy reduction in printing operations affects total cost of ownership for packaging buyers. While plate technology represents a small proportion of total packaging costs, energy consumption contributes to pricing volatility. As energy prices fluctuate, technologies that reduce consumption can stabilize operational costs for converters, potentially moderating price increases passed to buyers.

UK businesses should assess whether their packaging suppliers use certified lower-impact technologies. This matters for Scope 3 emissions reporting, which requires businesses to account for greenhouse gas emissions throughout their supply chain. Printing and converting operations contribute to the carbon footprint of packaged products. Using suppliers with verified energy-efficient processes reduces total supply chain emissions.

Additionally, waste reduction affects disposal costs and environmental liability. Solvent waste from traditional platemaking requires hazardous waste disposal, which carries both cost and regulatory compliance obligations. Technologies that eliminate solvent use remove this liability from the supply chain. For businesses with sustainability commitments, supplier waste reduction contributes to overall waste diversion targets.

Quality consistency also matters for brand protection. Print defects can result in product recalls, retailer rejections, or consumer complaints. Technologies that maintain print quality across extended production runs reduce these risks. For food and pharmaceutical businesses, print quality directly affects regulatory compliance for labeling requirements.

The developments also reflect changing competitive dynamics in packaging procurement. As major brands commit to environmental targets, they increasingly favor suppliers that can document performance improvements. This creates pressure throughout the supply chain, with converters seeking materials and technologies that support their own sustainability commitments. UK businesses should expect similar requirements to intensify as Extended Producer Responsibility reporting matures and Scope 3 disclosure becomes standard practice.

Key facts for UK businesses

• The Flexographic Technical Association awarded its Sustainability Excellence Award to DuPont Cyrel Solutions for Cyrel® ReNew technology on 26 April 2026 in Milwaukee.
• DuPont’s Cyrel® FAST thermal platemaking system received GreenCircle Certification on 14 April 2026, confirming 20% lower energy consumption compared to solvent-based systems through independent third-party verification.
• The Cyrel® ReNew technology extends plate longevity and reduces material waste in flexographic printing, which is widely used for food, beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical packaging.
• The thermal platemaking system eliminates solvent use, removing hazardous waste disposal requirements and associated regulatory compliance obligations from the printing process.
• Third-party certification provides verifiable environmental performance data that supports Scope 3 emissions reporting and procurement responses for UK businesses required to document supply chain carbon footprints.
• Material efficiency improvements in printing operations contribute to Extended Producer Responsibility compliance and packaging waste reduction targets that apply to UK businesses under regulations that took full effect in 2024.

Supply chain considerations for packaging buyers

Businesses sourcing flexible packaging should consider whether their converters have adopted certified environmental technologies. This matters for several reasons beyond direct environmental impact. Firstly, procurement frameworks increasingly require documentation of supply chain environmental performance. Having suppliers with third-party certified processes simplifies compliance responses and reduces documentation burden.

Secondly, converters using lower-impact technologies may offer more stable pricing. Energy represents a significant variable cost in printing operations. Technologies that reduce energy consumption can moderate cost increases during periods of high energy prices. Therefore, while the technology itself may not directly affect packaging prices, it can influence pricing stability over contract periods.

Thirdly, supplier environmental performance affects brand risk. Consumer and regulatory attention to packaging sustainability continues to increase. Businesses that can document environmental improvements throughout their packaging supply chain face lower reputational risk. This matters particularly for food and beverage companies where packaging sustainability directly influences consumer perception.

However, businesses should verify environmental claims rather than accepting marketing statements. Third-party certifications like GreenCircle provide independent verification of performance claims. When evaluating suppliers, ask for specific documentation of certifications, energy consumption data, and waste reduction metrics. Vague sustainability commitments without measurable targets or independent verification carry limited value for procurement decisions.

Additionally, consider how supplier technologies align with your own reporting requirements. If your business must report Scope 3 emissions under emerging climate disclosure rules, you need suppliers who can provide emissions data. Technologies with verified energy reduction enable more accurate emissions calculations. Our compliance services support businesses with carbon reporting requirements and supply chain emissions assessment.

Finally, evaluate the maturity of supplier sustainability programs. One-off awards or certifications may represent isolated achievements. Look for suppliers with sustained investment in environmental performance across multiple product lines and consistent third-party verification. This indicates strategic commitment that will likely continue through future regulatory changes and market requirements.

Where to find additional information

The Flexographic Technical Association provides technical resources and industry standards for flexographic printing at www.flexography.org. The association publishes technical guidance, sustainability best practices, and industry benchmarking data relevant to packaging converters and suppliers.

GreenCircle Certified operates as an independent third-party certification body for environmental performance claims. Information about their certification processes and standards is available at www.greencirclecertified.com. The organization verifies claims across multiple environmental attributes including energy consumption, recycled content, and emissions reduction.

For businesses needing support with supply chain emissions assessment and procurement requirements, our net zero program assists with carbon reporting compliance including Scope 3 emissions calculation and supplier engagement strategies. Understanding packaging supply chain impacts forms a significant component of comprehensive carbon footprint assessment for consumer goods businesses.

UK Government guidance on Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging is available through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at www.gov.uk. This includes reporting requirements, fee structures, and compliance timelines that affect businesses placing packaged goods on the UK market.