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F.acT: What sets your product apart from traditional signage?
Michael Walch: With "Signs of Nature", SONA Green Composites offers the most sustainable signage system on the market. The key difference to traditional signage lies in the choice of materials and production. While conventional signs are often made of aluminum, plastic or a combination of both materials, we use bio-based, annually renewable raw materials for our SONA signs, in particular hemp fibers from Tyrol.
The University of Innsbruck, Department of Environmental Technology, has carried out a life cycle assessment analysis of various signage systems - with a result that we are pleased with:
Our SONA signs enable CO₂ savings of:
- 66% compared to HPL signs
- 69 % compared to aluminum signs
- 77 % compared to aluminum composite panels
In addition to the significant CO₂ reduction, the resource resilience and local value creation that our manufacturing process brings with it should also be emphasized. Apart from a bio-based filler, which we source from a European company, all production steps are carried out in Austria - most of them in Tyrol.
To ensure high weather resistance and longevity, our signs are sealed. This sealant is climate chamber tested and its carbon footprint has already been included in the life cycle assessment.
Our signs also offer the following advantages:
- Lower weight and space-saving design for easy transportation
- Easy-to-install design, which makes work easier and saves time, especially for road maintenance and building yard employees
By using our sustainable signs, our customers not only make an active contribution to climate protection, but also send out a strong signal of ecological responsibility. At the same time, they support the goals of the EU Green Deal and fulfill environmental requirements for sustainable infrastructure projects.
F.acT: Are there already examples of applications? Do you also offer individual solutions for regions or companies?
Michael Walch : The first production series is currently underway as of the beginning of March 2025. We are currently in contact with numerous tourism associations in Tyrol and other parts of Austria to introduce them to our sustainable signs. Fortunately, the feedback has been consistently positive, as those responsible have a strong environmental awareness.
A first pilot project will be implemented in St. Anton am Arlberg in May 2025. Further projects are already in the planning phase and we hope to be able to announce more details shortly.
Individual solutions are also possible:
- The content of the signs can be customized.
- The size and shape can also be customized.
- However, due to our production technology, certain minimum quantities are required to make individual formats economically viable.
Thanks to the wide range of skills in our team, we can offer a comprehensive service that includes the following points:
- Development of individual signage concepts
- Planning & project planning
- Production to the highest environmental standards
- Pre-assembly for easy installation
- Taking back and recycling old signs
We would particularly like to emphasize that a team from the province of Tyrol was involved in the process at a very early stage of development. Public authorities in particular have a significant steering effect in the areas of sustainability, resource resilience and local value creation, which is why those responsible on the state side were very keen to support a sustainable solution here. One positive result of this exchange is the inclusion of the SONA signs in the signage funding catalog of the state of Tyrol.