Verdigris, a new environmental initiative focussed on the printing industry, has scored Kodak as its founding sponsor, joining Agfa Graphics, Canon Europe, drupa, Fujifilm, HP, Ricoh, Screen and Unity Publishing in their support for the project. Verdigris is a not-for-profit research initiative – associated with publisher Digital Dots– designed to understand the environmental impact of print. The goal is to evaluate the carbon footprints of a wide range of media products from the point of file creation via prepress to final output on paper or screen to disposal. Rick Mazur, global commercial segment marketing vice president of Kodak's Graphic Communications Group says sustainability is important for the industry, its customers and the community: "We are pleased to become a founding member of Verdigris, who will help provide a platform of education and research created from an industry partnership committed to improving the competitive position for all stakeholders in the business of print in a way that continues to reduce our collective impact on the environment." Digital Dots managing director Laurel Brunner says she is looking forward to working with Kodak to provide the high quality information needed to make informed decisions on environmental issues. Verdigris will develop and provide free content to global industry publishers on a regular basis. Content development is independently managed by people who understand print technology and are working closely with specialists. “Verdigris is the only initiative of its kind to operate globally and in partnership with industry and media,” says Brunner. Verdigris will analyse issues facing publishers and printers who want to minimise their carbon footprint, while continuing to conduct a profitable business. A first Verdigris Guide will be available in 2009, and a new website is due to go live later this year.