SOLV (Printing Converting)

Swiss Organization for the solvent use of industrial enterprises in the packaging sector.

The SOLV’s objective is to ensure competitiveness at international / EEA level in the context of national environmental protection measures.

The SOLV represents the economic and technical interests of member companies regarding the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act, the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control, the Ordinance on Volatile Organic Compounds, the Energy Act and the CO₂ Act.

The SOLV brings its interests and its expertise to the respective committees for elaboration and enforcement of ordinances. We are actively involved in the consultation process at federal level.

The economic importance of the SOLV with some key figures:

Annual turnover of member companies: more than CHF 1 billion
Switzerland: 40%
Export: 60%, 49% thereof EEA
Employees: more than 2'400 employees (status as of 2017)
Environmental investments: more than CHF 100 million since the beginning of the 1990’s

The member companies of the SOLV are essentially active in the field of manufacturing flexible packaging materials for the food and pharmaceutical industry. Printing and converting (laminating, coating and extrusion) of packaging materials are essential elements of industrial activities. The SOLV also covers in some areas the needs of manufacturers of technical products like plastic foams, inks, adhesives for laminating and coating.

The production processes of high end products are complex and energy intensive and often requires the use of organic solvents – calling for the installation of a downstream air purification system. The subsequent thermal treatment of waste air on the one hand needs (supporting) energy, and on the other, produces significant quantities of combustion energy which becomes an important part of a factory's energy supply and can be recycled back into the production process. The efficient operating of air purification systems is essential for the energy supply of member companies and requires integral consideration in the entire production process.

Environmental Act / Ordinance of Air Pollution Control / VOC Ordinance
Over the years, we have successfully negotiated a balanced interpretation of the VOC Ordinance within the VOC commission of the Federal Department for Environment (FDE), in particular concerning article 9 and 21. Our efforts have decisively contributed to extend the transitional article 9 (2009‐2012) as well as helped promoting the idea of its continuous application– thus preventing the VOC-tax on residual emitted VOC. End of 2008, we made a detailed proposal to the Federal Department for Environment how this could be achieved by technical qualification procedures. The proposal was tested under the chairmanship of the Department, accompanied by delegates of member-companies and corresponding cantonal authorities. The result of this work is now fully integrated in the periodical revision process of the VOC Ordinance, in particular therein VOCV article 9 (annexe 3).

Energy- and CO₂ Act
In collaboration with the Energy Agency for Industry (EnAW) all member companies are committed to the CO₂ reduction targets, undergoing a coordinated monitoring. This ensures a uniform assessment of our industry's production processes. The annual audits are conducted under one leadership by a certified auditor. The results serve our members as an important energy platform as well as for preventing taxation on CO₂-output, if the commitment to CO₂-reduction is achieved and approved!

Mandates
Since its formation, SOLV is mandated by the SWISS «FLEXIBLE PACKAGING ASSOCIATION» (IGFV) in all areas represented by SOLV.

Read more about the enforcement of the Swiss Environmental Protection Act (USG), the enforcement of the CO₂ Act, operational safety and what's happening in Parliament.