Amid the Europe-wide energy price crisis, the manufacturer flagged “growing pressure on the print media industry to make the entire production process even more energy-efficient – and to do so quickly”.

Heidelberg also noted that the Kyoto Protocol agreed back in 1997 stated that industrial processes should be at least 20% more efficient by 2022. 

It said that its latest Speedmaster XL 106, in a six-colour plus coating configuration, would use 40% less energy per 1,000 sheets than the equivalent Speedmaster CD model of 1990. 

“Energy consumption per 1,000 sheets has been reduced from 13.8kWh to 8kWh,” the manufacturer stated.

Heidelberg also highlighted the importance of optimising production processes and printing speeds to maximise energy efficiency. 

Dr Eva Boll, head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), said this could have a big impact on running costs. 

“When it comes to energy efficiency in print shops, although the equipment being used is an important basis, operating that equipment in the best way possible is at least equally as important,” she stated.

“This is often where companies can really make a big difference. It is at precisely this point that the Heidelberg campaign for greater energy efficiency comes in and creates a basis for fully utilising pre-existing potential.”

From April, new XL 106 presses in Germany will also be supplied as standard with an energy measuring device. 

A Heidelberg spokesperson told Printweek: “For the time being this was a decision by the local sales unit in Germany to include the measurement device in the standard package of the machines.”

The spokesperson said that while there is no roll-out planned in other countries, there was already an option to equip new machines directly from the factory. “Furthermore we offer also a retrofit solution for aftersales for some years.”

Other elements of the campaign – which is focused on its European customers – include optimising the use of peripheral units, and the energy consumption benefits of keeping equipment properly maintained. 

Separately, Heidelberg HQ has benefited to the tune of £10m after the Heidelberg UK business reduced its share capital from £16m to £6m, with the balance going back to its parent. 

Heidelberg UK's former facility in Brentford, which was sold to Fairview Homes in 2021 for redevelopment, is currently being demolished. 

Heidelberg UK made a net gain of just under £22.9m on the deal. 

The warehouse at the rear of Heidelberg's old Brentford site has already been taken down