Send us a text

In this episode of the FuturePrint Podcast, Marcus Timson speaks with Lisa Faratro, Director of Environment and Sustainability at CPI Group, Europe’s largest book manufacturer. With over 400 million books produced annually across 14 sites in the UK and continental Europe, CPI sits at the heart of an industry often assumed to be in decline—yet books are proving more resilient and more sustainable than many imagine.

Lisa shares her journey from production management to leading sustainability strategy across CPI’s European operations. She explains how the role evolved from an add-on responsibility into a standalone leadership position, reflecting the company’s commitment to making environmental performance as central as financial performance.

The conversation explores how CPI has pioneered print-on-demand and digital workflows to slash overproduction, cut warehousing, and reduce waste—turning sustainability into an operational advantage. Lisa also discusses the complexities of materials such as paper and plastics, why trade-offs must be judged in context, and how collaboration with competitors, publishers, and industry peers is vital for real progress.

Far from being eclipsed by screens, books are enjoying a resurgence. From tactile, beautifully produced editions to efficient “book of one” models, Lisa highlights how innovation is reshaping not just production but also the cultural relevance of print. She emphasises the need to keep sustainability front-of-mind, integrated into everyday decision-making and long-term investment strategies.

As a founding partner of A Manifesto for More Sustainable Print, CPI is helping lead an industry-wide effort to define sensible baselines, encourage collaboration, and inspire change across print sectors.

This episode offers valuable lessons for anyone in print and beyond: how sustainability, when embedded deeply into strategy and operations, can drive efficiency, resilience, and cultural impact.

Listen on:

Apple Podcast
Google Podcast
Spotify

What is FuturePrint?

FuturePrint is a digital and in person platform and community dedicated to future print technology. Over 20,000 people per month read our articles, listen to our podcasts, view our TV features, click on our e-newsletters and attend our in-person and virtual events.

We hope to see you at one of our future in-person events:

FuturePrint TECH: Industrial Print: 21-22 January '26, Munich, Germany