JCDecaux has teamed up with Senfa, a subsidiary of the Chargeurs group, to develop PVC-free advertising fabric.
Senfa is a recognised French manufacturer based in Alsace, and an expert in technical textiles for the visual communication, interior architecture and custom textile development markets.
Named “Pearlflex”, this new product will be available from September, and will be first used at the Extime JCDecaux Airport advertising sites at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports, as well as other French airports.
JCDecaux said the solution offers several advantages over current practices, including a reduced carbon footprint and optimised end-of-life treatment. This product also guarantees excellent image quality.
The new fabric is made in France with the weave produced from recycled PET yarns. The solvents used for PVC are replaced by aqueous coating of the fabric. The fabric also offers an improved end-of-life treatment, with energy recovery in the form of solid recovered fuel.
Thanks to this new material and manufacturing process, JCDecaux said the carbon footprint of Pearlflex fabric is more than halved compared with current fabrics, thereby contributing to the 2050 Net Zero Carbon objective, announced last June by JCDecaux.
JCDecaux co-CEO Jean-Charles said, “We are delighted to have co-developed this new canvas with the Chargeurs group, whose expertise in high-tech print materials is second to none. As part of our company’s commitment to an ambitious Climate Plan, we are deploying new solutions that combine quality and sustainability throughout our value chain.
“Pearlflex is a perfect example of this, and this new product clearly demonstrates that collaborative innovation is essential in order to accelerate the ecological transition.”
Chargeurs Group chairman and CEO Michaël Fribourg added, “The launch of Pearlflex, which responds to a global demand in the visual communications market, reflects the shared vision of the Chargeurs and JCDecaux groups for sustainable innovation.
“Pearlflex offers our two groups additional commercial opportunities to serve brands by combining visual and environmental excellence. By placing its trust in Chargeurs and its Senfa subsidiary, JCDecaux has chosen a partner with an international outreach.”
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