FESPA shows green commitment

FESPA Digital Printing Europe 2008, which took place in April at Geneva's Palexpo exhibition centre, illustrates FESPA's commitment to environment-friendly practices and reducing the carbon footprint of its events, says Packaging Essentials.

Geneva Palexpo's sustainable development programme and environmentally responsible policy played a key role in FESPA's decision to hold the FESPA Digital Printing Europe 2008 trade show at the Swiss exhibition centre.

The electricity used to power Geneva Palexpo, including all exhibitor stands, comprised of 100% hydroelectric power - the most widely used form of renewable energy. Possessing T"uV (Technical Monitoring Association of Germany) certification, Palexpo's electricity is guaranteed to originate from renewable and/or environment-friendly sources.

Photo firm Eastman Kodak is buying back up to $1 billion, or close to a quarter, of its outstanding stock, says Forbes.com.

To enable this, Kodak will be tapping a $581 million tax refund and a cash surplus the picture-taking pioneer amassed since selling its health-imaging business early last year.

The news sent shares of the Rochester, NY-based company soaring 13.7%, or $1.69, to close at $14.03.

NewspaperDirect, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, reports record orders for its print-on-demand newspaper services from the yachting industry, says Editor and Publisher.

ND Press, the company's print-on-demand newspaper solution, is now installed on 21 of the world's 100 largest yachts, according to the company, which counts 84 installations on yachts around the world in recent months.

Yacht owners, captains and management companies request the service so they can print hometown newspapers while at sea. In the charter sector, demand is driven by guests looking for their favourite daily. Crew retention is listed as another factor, with some owners offering the service to employees so they can access their hometown papers.