ARMOR-IIMAK is continuing its efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of its products by focusing on inked ribbons and the process to manufacture them. The R&D Department input has already led to the launch of SolFree® products since 2008, a unique
solvent-free coating process.

In addition to our TT solutions and consumables promoting traceability, we are working on reducing the environmental impact of ARMOR GROUP products and promoting them to our customers to guide their choices towards more responsible consumption. Our goal is subsequently greater sales penetration with our low-impact product ranges.

ARMOR GROUP has been seeing a shift towards environmental responsibility as a key criterion for customers. As such, additional information added to packaging or product data sheets helps inform customers when making purchases. For example, ARMOR Print Solutions is gradually introducing
eco-labels to its range of laser cartridges (41% of the range as of end 2020) using reputable eco-labels such as NF, Nordic Ecolabel or Blue Angel.

Our commitment to traceability for responsible production also combats counterfeiting. For several years now, ARMOR GROUP has had a program to combat “clones”, or new but illegal ink cartridges that disregard intellectual property, employees, or the environment. To deal with the rise in clones, APS has provided its expertise to ETIRA (a European association representing remanufactured cartridge makers) to produce an anti-clone guide that has since become a benchmark in this sector.

In the Group’s code of ethics, ARMOR GROUP strives to respect all its stakeholders, particularly its suppliers. That’s why for many years now ARMOR GROUP’s purchasing policy has been based on mutually beneficial relations with suppliers. Signing the Responsible Supplier Relations
Charter in 2011, subsequently expanded to the label of the same name in 2015, and then securing ISO 20400 certification, demonstrates that ARMOR has made considerable efforts to hold regular dialog with suppliers about CSR. The responsible purchasing policy, the code of business ethics, business reviews, team meetings and CSR assessments are all tools used by buyers worldwide. Among these tools, the CSR assessment questionnaire combined with the business review, is a key mechanism to understanding suppliers’ level of CSR maturity level, as well as continual improvements to social and environmental aspects. Every 4 years, the questionnaire assesses the CSR maturity of suppliers against 6 main themes of governance, human rights, employment conditions, the environment, products and services, as well as the responsibility of suppliers and subcontractors. It should be noted that this policy relies on a robust partnership with strategic suppliers to safeguard raw material supply sources.