Business News
Océ nominated for sustainability prize, Ei van Columbus (Columbus Egg)
Monday 18. January 2010 - It was announced today that Océ has been nominated for the national prize for sustainable innovation, earning the award of the Ei van Columbus (Columbus Egg). Every two years, small and large companies, social institutions, governments and educational bodies compete for this prize. Océ has been nominated in the category of "Sustainable Production" for "design for reuse".
An overwhelming number of 339 sustainable innovations were submitted for the national prize for innovation and sustainability. The expert jury of the Ei van Columbus 2010 examined all the contributions. Chairman Gerard Dijkema (TU Delft): “This year we nominated thirteen pearls. In energy savings, quality of life and technology, they all make a real difference to sustainability.” The jury divided the thirteen nominations over four categories: sustainable services, sustainable products, sustainable production and sustainable social collaboration.
Sustainable Production
Gerard Dijkema: “Sustainable Production is a new category in the Ei van Columbus. Initiatives with new sustainable production technologies and optimalization of (parts of) company production can register. The standard in this category was quite high.”
The philosophy of Océ is that discarded machines still have value. Thanks to this Océ works towards the maximal reuse of products, starting in the design phase. What is unique about Océs way of working is to strive for reuse in the broadest sense: from complete machines to machine parts. The impact on the environment can therefore be minimalized. In the Netherlands Océ achieved a growth of reuse of 11% in 2006, to 41% 2008.
Jury member Joost Bijlsma (journalist): “Océ is the frontrunner in the preservation of product design. Most importantly, their view of all the phases in the chain is an example for other companies. In this way they give large printers a second life.”
Who will win the Ei van Columbus?
In March 2010 the expert jury will decide who will win the coveted Ei van Columbus. In the meantime, secondary schools from all over The Netherlands will get to work, as Young Reporters, on promoting the thirteen nominees. The Ei van Columbus is also the qualifying round for the European Business Awards for the Environment of the European Commission. The definitive Dutch submission will be announced at the end of January. The Ei van Columbus will be awarded for the fifth time by five ministerial deparments.