PRUSA Research has published its first sustainability report. It covers the topic of “ESG”, relating to environmental, social and governance issues, which sets a precedent for both the company and the entire sector.
PRUSA Research is a Czech company founded by Josef Průša, specializing in the production of cheap but very good quality 3D printers. Most of the company’s products, including their flagship Prusa i3 3D printer, are based on an open-source license, which means that the schematics and instructions for building these devices are available to everyone for free. This approach fosters innovation and technology development, enabling other creators around the world to improve and modify original designs
The company not only shares its projects, but also actively supports the open-source community, creating a forum for users where they can share their experiences, problems and ideas. Prusa Research often implements these ideas and suggestions, which translates into continuous improvement of their products. The ESG report is another step towards making 3D printing technology better.
The issues raised in the report are primarily:
ESG reports are becoming more and more popular among companies and corporations, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to environmental aspects and transparency of their operations. However, creating them is a big challenge, which results in a small number of companies deciding to take this step. In the premiere report, Josef Průša writes:
“At the end of summer 2021, I decided that we wanted to focus on sustainability across the entire length of our business. Why? First of all, we have always liked to act in a positive way and care for the environment in which we do business.”
The Prusa Research report is 66 pages detailing the company’s ESG activities. One of the key aspects is the calculation of the company’s carbon footprint, which is a requirement in this type of report. The company reported 14.42t of direct emissions, plus indirect emissions, however the real story will begin to unfold as we monitor these figures year on year. Průša hopes that the company will be able to gradually reduce its CO2 emissions.
One of the most frequently discussed topics in the company’s contacts with stakeholders is recycling. Every 3D printer operator produces huge amounts of plastic waste as part development tends to be iterative. PRUSA Research seems to be dedicating significant resources to developing a range of solutions to this growing problem. These include recycling programs, partnership programs, increased use of recycled materials, and even experimental robotic solutions to convert plastic waste into useful items.
The company actively strives to increase sustainable practices in its products. These initiatives included redesigning the spools used in their Prusament products as well as rethinking their approach to product packaging. For example, it was decided to use more paper tape instead of plastic, which is more recyclable.
The company has now set a benchmark that other companies in the 3D printing industry can strive for, with the hope that at least some of them will start their own sustainability initiatives.
Source: www.prusa3d.com