With social purpose as our “north star”, Hemlock’s sustainable practices are always advancing. A combination of operational initiatives, supply chain partnerships, and customer-facing programs form the bedrock of our sustainability program. As we grow and evolve, we find new and exciting ways to continue this important work.
This last year marked a significant step as we brought our wide-format production home to one of Hemlock’s original locations in the 1970s. The change, along with key operational upgrades, enhances our environmental performance across the organization and strengthens our ability to deliver climate-friendly print solutions to our customers.
A Near-Zero Commute
Hemlock’s wide-format production is now located at a Hemlock-owned facility on Curragh Avenue—just a minute walk from our head office and manufacturing facility. This proximity significantly reduces the transportation required for materials to move between facilities. Fewer and shorter vehicle trips mean fewer emissions, thus cleaner operations and a lower overall carbon footprint.
Energy-Efficient Offices
As part of the facility upgrades we made when renovating the space, the offices at the Curragh facility feature new windows that provide better access to natural light. This reduces reliance on artificial lighting, decreases energy consumption, and creates a brighter, healthier workspace for our team.
Circular Economy Initiatives
Utilizing used office furniture wherever possible, we adopted a circular approach to outfitting the space. Giving high-quality items a second life helps keep materials out of landfills and supports our culture of reuse.
Equipment Upgrades
We retired our resource-intensive screen press and replaced it with a state-of-the-art digital flatbed printer. This shift eliminates screen preparation, reduces material waste, and increases energy efficiency on print runs. As a result, our print workflows are cleaner, faster, and more flexible.
As early adopters of advanced roll-to-roll print technologies, we moved away from higher-VOC solvent and eco-solvent systems in favour of latex and UV gel ink technology. UV gel inks cure under low-temperature LEDs and are UL GREENGUARD Gold certified, meaning they emit zero VOCs and hazardous air pollutants. Without a doubt, they deliver exceptional print quality with a significantly lower environmental impact compared to traditional solvent-based inks.
FSC® Certification and ZERO Carbon Neutrality
By spring 2026, we plan to offer FSC®-certified options and ZERO Carbon Neutral printing to qualifying forest-based wide format products. Clients will have increased ability to choose certified, responsibly sourced materials and to apply nature-based offsets across a broader range of projects, amplifying the integrity that Hemlock is known for.
A More Sustainable Future
By upgrading our equipment, reducing our footprint, and with responsible practices embedded into every corner of our business, we continue taking new steps in our sustainability and social purpose journey. Above all, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainability in print for years to come.