The Wood You line by Promotred is made from untreated wood (such as walnut and sycamore) salvaged from veneer waste from Italian furniture factories: diaries, bookmarks, drawing sets, notebooks and business cards are an impactful marketing solution for companies that want to convey their green image and can be customised with laser engraving. “We provide our customers,” says Luca Ossola, chief executive of Promotred, “with an original and 'material' opportunity to show their support for ecological issues and, through content and online platforms that can be accessed through QR code engraving or NFC technology, we integrate natural elements, wood, with digital ones.”

Even smart-working and home living have been hit by the green wave. This is the case with Get Impressed which has refreshed its range of accessories for working remotely by adding holders for PCs and tablets and cases for Bluetooth headsets in bamboo and desk mats in cork to the Claps! catalogue.

One of the new brands introduced by Xindao is Ukiyo, a new proprietary brand of homeware and kitchenware - from sushi sets to mugs, textiles to scented candles - with sophisticated designs and eco-friendly workmanship. “Xindao,” explains Matteo Mandelli, branch manager of Xindao Italy, “embraced the eco-green theme even before it became a trend. That’s why today we’re able to guarantee the sustainability of the materials and processes used throughout the production chain through third-party certification, the only way to protect against greenwashing.”

Even Swiss promotional pen specialist Prodir is going green. One of the many products Marco Campana, the company's sales manager, highlights is the Ds5 Shell, made with reclaimed plastic with the addition of shell powder (yet it is soft to the touch!) and the Ds8 True Biotic with a PHA body, a material created by millions of microorganisms that become biopolymers themselves.

Umbrellas are friends of the earth as well. “Sustainability,” explains Stefania Cereda, country manager of E. Doppler & Co, “is a key factor for us not only because of the ethical implications but also because it fits perfectly with our concept of quality umbrellas. And for Doppler, the long-standing Austrian umbrella company, a quality accessory is one made to last. Suffice it to say that umbrellas from their Knirps brand come with a 5-year warranty and a repair service is available for all models. Notably, the Knirps E Series is a customisable line made from Ecorepel: a patented material that can repel water and dirt and is free from PFCs (perfluorocarbons).

Perletti, which created a business unit dedicated to the promotional sector two years ago, as general manager Matteo Manenti explains, is also launching a range with recyclable accessories and eco-fabrics.

From the umbrella to the recycled plastic backpack, the common thread is always the same: focusing on environmental impact. “To satisfy a market increasingly aware of reusing raw materials,” says Davide Coticoni, general manager of Pelco, “we’ve enhanced our catalogue with products in rPET, bamboo, cork and recycled cotton, all excellent quality.” The proof? The rPET backpack presented at the exhibition has a natural effect comparable to materials typically used for these products.”

On the stationery front, there are numerous green products offered by Giuseppe Di Natale, presenting notebooks and diaries with paper made from 100% natural dried grass fibres.

“Sustainability,” underlines Iolanda Galoppo from the Neapolitan company’s sales departments, “is our ensign and here we’ve also presented materials in fibre made from wool, cotton and food waste (kiwi, cherries, coffee etc.) or reclaimed leather. All of it exclusively Made in Italy.”

The German pen manufacturer Klio-Eterna, which already has several lines in recyclable materials, this year launches the Klip Protect series, which protects both the environment - the pens are actually made entirely in Germany from recycled plastic - and people’s health, through a process (ISO 21702 tested and certified) that makes them antibacterial and antiviral.

Food is an emerging sector at PTE, and it is significant that two companies specialising in this field, which made their debut at this year’s fair, focus on organic, another pillar of the sustainable approach. The first is Bordoni , which offers organic olive oil certified organic or biodynamic in elegant bottles or cans with customisable labels (such as the “Our passion your passion” line dedicated to sports or Econature Demeter certified oils). “For us,” underlined Francesca Palombo, assistant CEO at Bordoni Italia, “it's important to promote smaller local businesses, the companies in the region that work artisanally using only local raw materials.” The second new entry is Acetaia Bellei, which produces superior quality Modena balsamic vinegar from raw Italian materials sourced from qualified local suppliers, available in chic paper gift boxes with no glue dots, so they are also recyclable. “We exclusively use local suppliers,” said Mariangela Bellei, CEO of Bellei Luigi & Figli, “in order to support small businesses in the area and to get raw materials of impeccable quality.”