Fujifilm Corporate Blog

Circular Manufacturing Center launched by FUJIFILM Business Innovation in Europe

by M. Köster June 5, 2024 Comments0

FUJIFILM Business Innovation has established a Circular Manufacturing Center with the objective of promoting resource circulation in Europe. The Center will be located at FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. in the Netherlands and will commence operations with the collection and remanufacturing of toner cartridges from June 2024.

In 1995, FUJIFILM Business Innovation established a comprehensive recycling policy, which it has adhered to ever since. This policy is based on the principle of ‘zero waste’ and is designed to promote resource circulation. It encompasses the collection, reuse, and recycling of all consumed equipment and products from customers. The company’s comprehensive circular production system encompasses the entire product lifecycle, from planning and development to manufacturing and disposal. The objective is to minimise the use of new resources and maximise resource circulation through the reuse of parts from collected products.

At the new Circular Manufacturing Center, FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. will collect used toner cartridges from printers sold throughout Europe. Following disassembly, cleaning, inspection, and remanufacturing, these cartridges will be reintroduced into the European marketplace as new toner cartridges. The company has expressed its intention to extend these remanufacturing processes in the future to other products, such as multifunction printers and production printer spare parts, in addition to toner cartridges.

A notable aspect of the Circular Manufacturing Center is its dedication to sustainability. FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. supplies all of its electricity needs from on-site wind power generation and from a purchased wind power generation company. Therefore, the newly established Circular Manufacturing Center can also achieve virtually zero CO2 emissions from the electricity it uses. Strategically located in the Netherlands, the heart of Europe, the facility benefits from an extensive manufacturing history and advantageous geographical position to enhance transportation efficiency and effectively promote resource recycling.

From its inception, FUJIFILM Business Innovation has been dedicated to environmental conservation and reducing the environmental impact of its corporate activities. The inauguration of the Circular Manufacturing Center in Europe constitutes a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing endeavours to enhance resource circulation and contribute to the circular economy.

It is important to note that the remanufactured products are derived from used items collected from customers and undergo a thorough process of disassembly, cleaning, inspection and refurbishment in order that they meet the requisite quality standards.

Filed under Be Inspired Blog

Photobooth Creatives & OnTrack in Tilburg: where photography and print meet

by arjenjanssen May 7, 2024 Comments0

Two heads are better than one, right? It seems a bunch can move mountains! We are proud of our community of a new generation of passionate photographers, and this April, we were happy to gather them for a creative brainstorm.

Members of Photobooth Creatives, in collaboration with the dynamic minds behind the OnTrack festival, visited our production site in Tilburg, the Netherlands. Photobooth Creatives is a community for photo creators where they can network and share a valuable experience and personal tips and tricks with each other. They regularly organise plenty of photo events like photoshoots, photo walks, and brainstorming sessions. This time, they came to us to see how our best-in-class photographic paper is made and discuss new ideas and possibilities with our prints.

So, we pulled back the curtain on the magic behind Fujifilm, but the real magic happened when we sat down to brainstorm potential collaborations. That was the spirit! Sparks flew as we explored what we could do together. It’s definitely a new step towards strengthening the unique Fujifilm combination of photography and print.

What’s next? Well, the possibilities are as vast as the creative visions that fuel us. With newfound connections and inspiration, we’re ready to set sail on a new journey. And it promises to be fascinating!

Are you OnTrack?

The OnTrack festival gathers a vibrant, youthful community for two days of exploring street culture and everything connected to it. The line-up includes open-air performances, streetwear brands, photo exhibitions, sports, and graffiti artists live as they paint murals. It opens a completely different side of Tilburg you didn’t expect. And we are thrilled to be a part of it by supporting the festival and donating the prints. See you there on June 1-2, at the Spoorzone!

Filed under Blog Photography

Crafting Quality: A Glimpse into FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe

by M. Köster October 24, 2023 Comments0

FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe in Tilburg is a state-of-the-art facility that produces a wide range of high-quality photo paper and photographic film. Located in the heart of the Netherlands, the facility is one of the most advanced manufacturing plants in the world, with cutting-edge technology and processes that ensure exceptional product quality and consistency.

Since its establishment in 1982, FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe in Tilburg has been at the forefront of photographic technology, constantly developing new products and improving existing ones. The company’s focus on innovation has led to a range of industry-leading products, including the Crystal Archive photo paper, which is widely used in the photographic industry due to its high image quality, color reproduction, and longevity.

Filed under Blog Business Innovation

FUJIFILM PHOTO PRINTING SUMMIT 2023

by M. Köster March 31, 2023 Comments0

Power of the Past. Force of the Future. FUJIFILM PHOTO PRINTING SUMMIT 2023

The Fujifilm Photo Printing Summit 2023 recently took place at The LocHal in Tilburg, and it was a momentous occasion for the photographic industry. Invited guests from all over the world attended this exclusive event to discuss the future of photographic paper and printing.

As a company with 40 years of experience in photographic paper production, Fujifilm in Tilburg stands on a solid foundation for the future. During the summit, suppliers, partners, and customers were taken through market trends, our silver halide technology, and shared environmental challenges. Expert panels discussed the issues, and impressive presentations, live demonstrations, and interesting speakers were on the agenda for both days.

On the second day, attendees had the privilege of touring the photographic paper plant on the Fujifilm production site in Tilburg. It was an incredible opportunity to witness firsthand the process behind Fujifilm’s innovative and sustainable production methods.

Despite the ever-changing technology landscape, Fujifilm photographic paper proves to be alive and kicking. Fujifilm continues to invest in the photographic industry and innovate for the most sustainable production, leading the way towards a healthier world.

The Fujifilm Photo Printing Summit 2023 was a true celebration of the “Power of the Past” and the “Force of the Future” for the photographic industry. As Fujifilm continues to push the boundaries of innovation and sustainability, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the world of photography and printing.

Filed under Blog

World Water Day: A reminder of the importance of water conservation

by Fujifilm EMEA March 22, 2023 Comments0

Every year on March 22, the entire world comes together to celebrate World Water Day as a reminder of the importance of water and the need to preserve this precious resource for future generations. With over 70% of the earth’s surface covered by water, it is easy to take it for granted. However, with population growth, increased urbanization, and climate change, water is becoming increasingly scarce, and the need to conserve water has never been more urgent.

This year’s World Water Day is themed “Valuing Water” to highlight the importance of recognizing the true value of water in all its forms, beyond the economic. Water is essential for human health, ecosystems and agriculture, and we must learn to use and manage it more sustainably.

One example of sustainable water management is Fujifilm Tilburg’s water treatment plant in the Netherlands. Fujifilm and neighboring companies Coca-Cola European Partners Nederland B.V., International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF Nederland) and Agristo are jointly purifying water on-site and reducing waste by working together. The plant is over 3,000 square meters in size and can purify 10 million liters of process water every day. This makes it one of the largest industrial membrane bioreactor (MBR) plants of its kind in the Netherlands.

Alex van Rijn, Environment, Safety, Health and Sustainability Manager at Fujifilm Tilburg, explains that the joint water treatment plant was an initiative of the four neighboring companies ten years ago. The wastewater from all four companies contains similar contaminants, allowing it to be combined, treated and discharged in a safe and efficient manner. By reducing waste and reusing water, Fujifilm and its neighbours are setting an example for other companies to follow.

Saving water is important not only for the environment, but also for business. By using water sparingly, companies can reduce their costs, improve their reputation and strengthen their sustainability efforts. To conserve water, businesses can take simple steps such as fixing leaks, using water-efficient equipment and collecting rainwater for irrigation.

Individuals can also take measures to conserve water. Simple solutions like turning off the faucet when brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, and using a bucket to collect water when washing dishes or laundry can make a big difference. Consumer choice can make a difference too by supporting businesses that promote sustainability and water conservation.

In summary, World Water Day is a reminder of the importance of saving water. By recognizing the value of water in all its forms and taking action to conserve it, we can ensure that this precious resource is available for future generations. Whether through innovative solutions like the collective water treatment plant at Fujifilm Tilburg or simple measures like fixing leaks and taking shorter showers, every effort counts in the fight for sustainable water management.

Filed under Be Inspired Blog

Unique way of purifying water at Fujifilm Tilburg together with four neighbour companies

by Fujifilm EMEA March 22, 2021 Comments1

Sustainability is a key subject for Fujifilm in Tilburg. Therefore, let us tell you a story about clean water on today’s World Water Day.

At Fujifilm in Tilburg the Netherlands, we make use of a collective company water treatment. In this water purification installation Fujifilm purifies water on the site, together with three neighbour companies, Coca-Cola European Partners Nederland B.V, International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF Nederland), Agristo. This water purification installation was the first of its kind in the Netherlands: the water purification plant is located on Fujifilm’s premises, it is over 3,000 square metres in size and can purify 10 million litres of process water a day. The companies are connected to the water treatment plant by over 8 kilometres of pipes. Each type of process water runs through its own pipe, so that the chemical composition of the process water can be taken into account.

The water purification takes place by means of biological cleaning through a membrane filter, also called Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR). This technique is well known, but this was one of the largest industrial MBR installations of its kind, and it is unique in the Netherlands.

Alex van Rijn, Manager Environment, Safety, Health & Sustainability at Fujifilm, explains: “The collective company water treatment plant is an initiative, started 10 years ago, by the four neighbour companies. Looking at composition, the combination of the waste water streams of these four companies fits well together to be able to process the waste water in a way that it can be cleaned and discharged in a safe and efficient way. The reason to start the project was that the wastewater plant of the local water board came to its limits and was not able to clean and discharge the future waste water streams of the four involved companies. Fujifilm needs the water for its processes: the products we make, for example photo paper, offset plates, membranes and cell culture media, are sensitive and need very clean water. One of the reasons for starting the factory in the 1980’s in Tilburg, is the presence of very clean well water. Next step in the project for the coming years is to make use of the purified waste water in a way it can be given back to nature and /or agriculture. This fits well in the situation in Noord-Brabant where we face increasing drought in the summers.” Currently, fulfilling all legal specifications, this water is drained to the Wilhelmina canal and in the end to the sea.

Sustainability is a key subject for Fujifilm Tilburg. In the area of sustainability, for the coming years the focus will be on Energy transition, working towards zero carbon production at Fujifilm Tilburg and focus on optimized use of well water by reducing the amount of well water that we use and by making optimal use of the waste water for nature / agriculture. Next to this, the electricity of the production process operates already on wind energy for 100%. Fujifilm generates energy with an afterburner and the waste streams of Fujifilm are recycled for 100%.

The basis of the purification system is the membrane bioreactor (MBR); this is a type of water treatment plant where a membrane filter separates sludge and water under pressure. The membrane consists of a polymer sheet with pores of 0.01-0.5 micrometre. The membrane sheet is in the form of a hollow fibre. The membrane bioreactor consists of a biological water purification unit and membrane filtration unit.

Fujifilm is working together with Coca-Cola European Partners Nederland B.V, International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF Nederland), Agristo and the province, the local waterboards and the local municipalities. The Company “New water Business” (NWB) is exploiting the waste water treatment plant for the four companies.

Filed under Be Inspired Blog Innovation

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