News Release

7th February 2008

FREUDENBERG TO SHOWCASE INNOVATIVE, ENVIRONMENTALlY FRIENDLY EVOLON® PRINTING SUBSTRATE AT FESPA DIGITAL 2008

Performance textile manufacturer Freudenberg Evolon will be demonstrating its feature-rich Evolon® printing substrate on stand H21 at FESPA Digital Printing Europe 2008. Evolon® is an innovative, environmentally friendly media, designed for a multitude of indoor and outdoor printing applications that include signs, graphics and other digital printing projects.

Freudenberg Evolon will showcase its range of printing substrates, as well as demonstrating Evolon®’s numerous attributes to visitors. In particular, printers benefit from a blend of three key success factors in just one media; namely impeccable printed results, inspirational versatility and an improved eco-profile.

 
Wide-format banner printed on Evolon®

Outstanding versatility and printed results

Evolon® features a unique matt artistic look which ensures customer satisfaction by providing outstanding printed results, sharp pictures and deep colours. The media also delivers new benefits above certain other available substrates, with its compatibility with an array of different digital printing technologies and inks. In addition to inkjet printing using water-based, solvent, eco-solvent and UV-cured inks, Evolon®ensures high performance in transfer/direct sublimation applications.

Evolon® is lightweight, soft and drapable and can also be cut and sewn like other fabrics. Furthermore, its non fraying edges provide the advantage of easier converting, without the need for overstitching. As a result, Evolon®’s many attributes make it also compatible to a diverse range of other non-signage applications, such as labelling.

High performance for indoor applications

Evolon® is also offered in a flame-retardant variant which, in conjunction with its wrinkle-free properties, provides key benefits in indoor wide format poster and hanging banner applications.

Strength and durability for outdoor requirements

Evolon®’s strength, weather-resistance and UV-durability make it perfect for use in outdoor signage and banner applications, while it offers a structure four times lighter than that of traditional outdoor banner materials.

Minimal Environmental Impact

Evolon® is PVC-free and produced from stable raw materials which are safe for the environment and general handling. As such, Evolon® enables solvent-free printing and healthier living and working conditions for end-users. In the event of an accidental fire, the risk of toxic emissions is greatly reduced.

Evolon® is environmentally friendly at every stage throughout its life cycle – from basic raw materials, to manufacturing, printing, converting, final application and recycling.There is also no risk of halogeneous substanceemissions upon disposal. Other benefits to printers include improved working conditions, due to Evolon®’s compatibility with odour-free and eco-friendly inks that include water-based or UV-cured.

Furthermore, the manufacture of base materials does not involve the use of solvents and dramatically minimizes the use of resources. A reduction in raw material consumption is achieved because products are lightweight and water used during the process is recycled.

Jean Ullmann, Market Manager Printing Media Europe at Freudenberg Evolon, comments, “Given both the increasing global requirement and general move towards environmentally friendly products and materials, Evolon® allows agencies and printers to differentiate themselves and adhere to such requirements.”

He adds, “Thanks to its minimal impact on the environment, Evolon® represents the perfect alternative to traditional banner materials and combines health and safety benefits with ultimate performance in diverse range of digital graphic applications.”

Evolon®is supplied in weights from 100 up to 180 g/m² and can be printed in widths of up to 2m. It can be sewn or converted like other traditional textiles without the requirement of a specific machine.

Freudenberg Evolon is ISO 14001 accredited and Evolon® is fully compliant with European regulations on chemical products. The media also complies to industry agreements for flame retardancy, namely: NFPA 701 in the USA, CA1237 for California, M1 in France and DIN 4102 B1 in Germany.

ENDS

About Freudenberg Evolon

Headquartered in Colmar, France, Freudenberg Evolon is part of the Freudenberg group; an international family-owned company with a diverse range of products including technical textiles, seals and vibration control components, floor coverings, household products and specialty lubricants. Via local sales offices and agents located in the company’s key sales areas of Europe, North America and Asia, Freudenberg Evolon continues to ship to an ever expanding global market.

For further information, please visit: www.evolon.com/textile-printing-media.html or contact:

Isabelle Kugler

Freudenberg Evolon - 20 rue Ampère - 68000 Colmar – France

Tel: +33 (0)3 89 20 64 79

E-mail:isabelle.kugler@freudenberg-nw.com

www: www.evolon.com

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