The Nordic Ecolabel, represented by the Nordic Swan logo, was established in 1989 to meet the environmental and climate criteria required to supply printed products into Scandinavia.

Polestar graduate trainee Tony Burke, who oversaw the gravure print plant's Ecolabel application, said: "It is really rewarding to be part of a company that is internationally recognised for its environmental policies.

"Nordic Ecolabel qualifications are second to none and to achieve the Ecolabel allows Polestar Sheffield sales team to increase our potential market by selling approved printed products into Scandinavia."

In gaining the accreditation, Polestar Sheffield joins the likes of Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Sharp, Fujitsu, Scandic Hotels, and SCA, all of which carry the Nordic Swan label.

Polestar Sheffield managing director Phil Boynes said: "This is a great achievement, not only do we endeavour to print high quality and competitive gravure products but we now do this with the full endorsement of the Nordic Ecolabel."

The award follows a customer event last summer, at which Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert set out the group's environmental policy and encouraged publishers to continue to invest in the "golden nugget" of printing.

He also sought to dispel some common environmental misconceptions concerning print and highlighted the fact that the paper and magazine industry is the best performing industry for recycling products.