Consumables

Skinit Introduces Industry First, Photo Quality Non-PVC Skins for Consumer Electronic Device Personalization

Tuesday 08. January 2008 - Skinit introduces a non-PVC skin by 3M that conforms to industry environmental standards

Skinit, Inc., the global leader in mobile device personalization, today announced that it is introducing a new film composition designed to minimize environmental impacts to be applied to all its existing and new product lines by Q2 2008. Skinit’s removable skins are customized to fit all major mobile handsets and consumer electronic devices and can be personalized by the consumers with art, brands, designs and by uploading and decorating their own photos via the Skinit Customizer.

“We’re very excited to introduce these skins for the consumer electronic device industry. Our approach reflects our commitment to providing our partners and the consumers with a solution that will improve both the environment and benefit all our customers,” says Paul Buss, CEO of Skinit.

To help Skinit meet its customers’ requirements, 3M is providing a proprietary graphic film with reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and virtually no heavy metal content.

“We’re pleased to be able to supply Skinit with a film and overlaminate that meet its exacting requirements. 3M’s Graphics Market Center (GMC) is committed to sustainable development and actively working to enhance the environmental performance of its products and how they are produced,” says Jon Lindekugel, business director, 3M GMC.

3M’s developmental activities include reducing solvent use by incorporating a variety of adhesive technologies and UV-curable product constructions, including inks as well as reducing heavy metal pigments in inks and colored films.

The GMC plant in Nevada, MO, is one of 16 3M sites registered with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track (PTrack) program that encourages plants with strong environmental records to go beyond their legal requirements. In 2005, the plant received the EPA Environmental Performance Award.

“We are thrilled to see our environmentally friendly composition has passed a tough list of performance and acceptance criteria that ensures the same industry-leading performance as our existing products. Currently, we’re optimizing our fulfillment and manufacturing processes for mass-production of the new material, and we anticipate a complete transition to this composition by Q2 this year.” Mr. Buss adds.