Sustainability is integral to Lithotech’s long-term strategy and the way we conduct business.
We recognise our responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint, support the well-being of our people and communities, and operate with integrity and accountability. By embedding sustainable practices into our operations, products and partnerships, we aim to create lasting value for our customers, employees, stakeholders and the environment.
Environment
Lithotech is committed to reducing its environmental impact through responsible resource management, energy efficiency and waste reduction.
Our approach focusses on optimising the use of raw materials and energy, embracing renewable energy solutions, supporting circular economy initiatives, and responsible sourcing. We continually enhance our processes and technologies to minimise our footprint and meet or exceed environmental standards.
Our environmental efforts include:
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
Lithotech has attained the FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification which ensures complete traceability of products manufactured through the supply chain to the originating forest.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a well-known international benchmark for responsible forestry management, and its certification system is considered to be the most stringent and credible system worldwide.
Lithotech is proud to show commitment to responsible forestry management and environmental sustainability by attaining its FSC certification – and in doing so, is doing its part to ensure a sustainable future for generations to follow.
Recyclable Inks
Wherever possible, Lithotech uses mineral oil-free, vegetable-based inks as part of our commitment to more sustainable printing practices. These environmentally conscious inks offer several benefits: they are derived from renewable resources, contain fewer harmful compounds and contribute to a cleaner, safer printing process.
Importantly, vegetable-based inks also help facilitate the recycling of our printed products. Because they break down more easily during the de-inking stage, they improve the quality of recovered paper fibres and support a more efficient recycling cycle.
By choosing greener ink options, we’re able to reduce our environmental impact while still delivering high-quality, vibrant print results.
Solar Energy
Lithotech Cape has taken a significant step towards reducing its carbon footprint through the installation of 512 x 550W solar panels at its factory and sales offices.
With a total installed capacity of approximately 281.6 kW, the system contributes meaningfully to energy efficiency, cost stability and long-term environmental sustainability.
Conserving of Water
Lithotech has implemented rainwater harvesting, borehole supply and greywater systems for flushing toilets, reinforcing our commitment to environmental responsibility and efficient water management. These initiatives reduce reliance on municipal water sources, support water conservation and enhance operational resilience, particularly in water-scarce environments.
By integrating alternative water sources into our daily operations, we are able to optimise resource use, lower our environmental impact and contribute to more sustainable business practices. This proactive approach forms part of our broader commitment to responsible resource management and long-term environmental sustainability.
The Circular Economy
Under Section 18 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, companies are required to take practical and financial responsibility for the end-of-life of any product they put on to the South African market. The main purpose of this legislation is to encourage and enable the implementation of circular economy initiatives.
Lithotech is a member of Fibre Circle, the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the paper and packaging sector. It’s a non-profit organisation that facilitates EPR programmes for paper producers and importers.
Social
At Lithotech we believe that sustainable business success is built on strong, healthy and empowered people and communities.
Lithotech invests in employee well-being, skills development and education initiatives, while supporting programmes that address key social challenges.
Our social responsibility efforts include:
Training & Development
It is our belief that the future of the printing industry lies in the continuous development of its people. As a leader in South African printing industry, we are committed to closing the skills gap through robust educational initiatives. Our training programmes are designed to not only enhance our internal operations but to foster economic growth and provide life-changing opportunities within the communities we serve.
Lithotech is a proud participant in both employed and unemployed learnerships within the printing sector. These structured learning programmes combine theoretical classroom instruction with practical, on-the-job experience, resulting in nationally recognised NQF qualifications.
The synergy between employed and unemployed learnerships is vital for a sustainable industry. By upskilling our current workforce while simultaneously opening doors for the youth, we ensure a balanced ecosystem of experienced mentors and fresh, innovative talent.
For our existing staff, learnerships offer a pathway to formalise their years of experience into accredited qualifications. This increases internal productivity, boosts morale and ensures that our team remains at the cutting edge of evolving printing technologies.
Our unemployed learnerships target South African youth, providing them with the work readiness and technical skills needed to enter the professional world. We are especially proud of our impact here: over the last five years, we have maintained a placement rate of over 90% for our unemployed learners, successfully absorbing them into permanent roles or facilitating their entry into the broader industry.
Our apprenticeship programme is the bedrock of technical mastery. While traditional learnerships focus on broad occupational skills, apprenticeships provide an intensive “deep dive” into the specialised trades essential for high-quality print manufacturing.
We believe that craftsmanship is born from the intersection of rigorous theory and hands-on experience. This commitment is supported by our strategic training partnerships with elite industry bodies, including Printing SA (formerly known as the Printing Industries Federation of South Africa – PIFSA).
Through this partnership, our apprentices benefit from PIFSA’s century-long legacy of industry advocacy and its technical theoretical (TT) modules. These modules ensure that our artisans don't just learn to operate machinery but master the underlying physics and technology of print – adhering to the highest national standards and ensuring their certifications are recognised across the global print and packaging landscape.
The integration of apprenticeships has been a primary driver of growth for Lithotech. By developing both employed and unemployed individuals through this pathway, we have built a self-sustaining pipeline of expertise. This focus on “growing our own” ensures that the unique craft of printing is preserved and modernised, leading to increased operational efficiency and business expansion.
In South Africa, apprenticeships are more than just training – they are a solution to the national “scarce skills” crisis. By transforming learners into qualified artisans, Lithotech contributes to reducing youth unemployment and strengthening the country’s industrial backbone. We are proud to play a role in building a skilled workforce that can compete on a global stage.
Beyond technical trades, Lithotech is committed to academic excellence and leadership development, and offers a comprehensive bursary scheme designed to support higher education for promising individuals.
Wellness Days
Lithotech prioritises the health and well-being of its employees through regular staff wellness days. These initiatives provide employees with access to health screenings, wellness information and support services, promoting early detection, prevention and overall well-being. By encouraging a proactive approach to health, Lithotech fosters a positive, supportive work environment where employees feel valued and empowered. Our wellness programmes contribute to improved morale, increased productivity and a stronger, more resilient workforce.
Governance
Strong governance underpins everything we do. Lithotech operates within a framework of ethical business practices, regulatory compliance and responsible decision-making.
We integrate environmental and social considerations into our business strategy, set measurable targets, and work closely with stakeholders, suppliers and partners to ensure transparency, accountability and continuous improvement across our operations.
Our governance efforts include:
ISO 9001 Quality Management System
Lithotech operates a certified ISO 9001 Quality Management System, which underpins our commitment to quality, consistency and customer satisfaction. The QMS provides a structured framework for managing processes, addressing risks and driving continual improvement across our operations.
Through documented procedures, performance monitoring and regular internal and external audits, we ensure compliance with customer, statutory and regulatory requirements. Management reviews are conducted to assess performance and maintain alignment with our strategic objectives.
The ISO 9001 system promotes:
- Process standardisation & operational efficiency
- Risk-based thinking and accountability
- Effective corrective action & continuous improvement
By embedding quality into our daily operations, Lithotech strengthens governance, enhances operational control and builds customer confidence.
Ethical Trade & Supply Chain Responsibility
Lithotech is committed to ethical and responsible business practices and maintains compliance with SEDEX standards. SEDEX supports transparency, accountability and responsible supply chain management, reinforcing our commitment to operating with integrity.
Through the SEDEX platform and SMETA audits, we monitor and assess performance across key areas, including labour standards, health and safety, environmental management and business ethics. This structured approach enables us to identify risks, implement improvements and maintain alignment with internationally recognised best practices.
Our participation in SEDEX demonstrates our commitment to fair labour practices, safe working conditions and ethical conduct. Ongoing assessments and corrective action plans drive continuous improvement and help build trust with our customers, employees and business partners.