We strive to integrate sustainability into every stage of our production processes. We recognize that by continuously improving our products and production methods, we can contribute to a sustainable future. That’s why we conducted a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for our photo books. This LCA maps out our footprint and provides suggestions on how we can further improve to ensure sustainability.
Every day, we work hard to make our products and production processes as sustainable as possible. We use FSC-certified photo paper, our packaging materials are also made from FSC-certified cardboard, we use green electricity to produce the photo paper, and our cover materials are vegan. The first steps toward a sustainable future have already been taken, but we want to take it even further.
Our Life Cycle Analysis showed that we emit 5.44 kg of CO2 per photo book. We offset this emission by planting trees in the Netherlands, in collaboration with the organization Regreener. These trees may be planted in the Netherlands or abroad, depending on where we can make the most impact. In 2024, this resulted in the planting of 1,820 trees, compensating 218 tons of CO2.
Profotonet makes all of its photo books sustainably. We offset our CO2 footprint by planting trees. By conducting a clear analysis of our emissions, we know exactly how much needs to be compensated. It is important to us to make our photo books truly sustainable.
FSC-certified paper/packaging material
All of our photo books use FSC-certified photo paper. In addition, all of our products are packaged with FSC-certified packaging materials. This contributes to sustainable and socially responsible forest management, ensuring that forests with high ecological value and vulnerable forest areas are left undisturbed.
Use green electricity
For the production of our photo paper, we use green electricity from our supplier. They generate this green electricity themselves with five wind turbines located on their site in Tilburg. Together, these five wind turbines produce a total of ten megawatts, which is about 20 percent of their total annual energy consumption. This amount is comparable to the electricity use of approximately six thousand households per year.
Planting trees
Thanks to the Life Cycle Analysis, we know that we emit 5.44 kg of CO2 per photo book. We compensate for this CO2 emission by planting trees. Depending on where we can make the most impact, we decide where to plant the trees. This can be in the Netherlands, but also in Africa, Asia, or South America. We plant the trees in collaboration with Regreener.
Our goal is to make all of Profotonet’s production more sustainable and to reduce and compensate our footprint wherever possible.
Harold Konijnenberg
General Manager
Vegan cover materials
For our cover materials, we use only vegan products. This means that no animal-based substances are used in the material. This helps reduce our environmental footprint, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and decreases land use.
What we do to make our operations as sustainable as possible:
Waste separation
Throughout our company, we separate paper and plastic waste. We also separate components of the chemicals we use. The photo chemicals we use have a significant impact on our carbon footprint and, if not recovered, can leave many heavy metals in the environment. That’s why we work with a recycling company that recovers 95% of the chemicals and also extracts and reuses the heavy metals.
Reducing transport movements
We have a large warehouse, which allows us to purchase in bulk and reduces the number of transport movements. Additionally, customers can choose to pick up their photo books at Kamera Express stores. In this case, the photo books are transported using trips the Kamera Express bus already makes. The distance between Kamera Express and Profotonet is only 400 meters, so the bus doesn’t have to travel far to collect the photo books.
Production process
Our production manager and staff are constantly focused on improving the production process. We strive to work as efficiently as possible and minimize waste. Thanks in part to investments in a high-tech machine park, which allows us to use energy and materials more efficiently, we contribute to a more sustainable production process.