As global sustainability regulations and brand supply chain management requirements continue to tighten, sustainability management in industries such as fashion, luxury goods and beauty is extending beyond products themselves to offline communication scenarios, including in-store displays, outdoor visual installations, pop-up events, exhibitions and trade show displays.
These frequently updated scenarios are not only important showcases for brand identity, but are also becoming an increasingly significant component of Scope 3 emissions management. Against this backdrop, the ability of visual solution providers to deliver lower-carbon services is emerging as an important consideration in brand procurement assessments.
With the support of Carbon Newture’s digital carbon management services, Primary Color Digital Imaging Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. completed its 2025 carbon management programme. Following verification by the independent certification body Bureau Veritas (BV) in accordance with ISO 14064 and ISO 14068, the company’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions for 2025 were confirmed as carbon neutral, and the company was awarded a carbon neutrality certificate.
Brand Requirements: Low-Carbon Management Extends to Offline Communications
In international markets, sustainability requirements for industries such as fashion, luxury goods and beauty continue to become more stringent. A growing number of leading brands have incorporated supply chain decarbonisation into their Scope 3 management objectives and are passing emissions reduction requirements upstream through supplier qualification processes and green procurement policies.
In China, the country’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality policies, together with standards such as the Guidelines for Green Exhibition Operations, are increasingly influencing the sustainability management of offline brand activities throughout the preparation, installation, operation and dismantling stages.
Source: Corporate ESG reports and official websites; graphic compiled by Carbon Newture
This means that sustainability management in the luxury goods, fashion and beauty industries is no longer limited to products such as handbags, jewellery and apparel.
Although offline retail and brand communication scenarios are not part of the physical product itself, they represent a frequently occurring yet easily overlooked component of brand Scope 3 emissions. These activities often involve material procurement, fabrication and construction, transportation and installation, as well as short replacement cycles.
As brands increasingly communicate concepts such as “sustainability”, “low carbon” and “circular design” to consumers, their retail displays, visual communications in public spaces, pop-up events, exhibition stands and showrooms must also be supported by corresponding low-carbon practices and credible data.
Image source: PRIMARY
PRIMARY Takes Action: Supporting Brands Through Operational Carbon Neutrality
Originating in California, the United States, PRIMARY established its Shanghai branch in 2013. The company provides one-stop visual imaging and production solutions for leading domestic and international brands across sectors including jewellery, watches, apparel and major shopping centres.
Its services cover retail displays, visual communications in public spaces, events, exhibition stands and showrooms. With integrated capabilities spanning creative design, printing and production, consolidated procurement, installation, dismantling and warehousing, PRIMARY provides turnkey services from concept development through to on-site execution.The company has served a wide range of prominent domestic and international brands, including Apple, Hermès, Givenchy, Cartier and Chow Tai Fook.
In 2022, PRIMARY established a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target and began integrating sustainability principles into its daily operations and production management. While maintaining the visual quality and delivery standards of its solutions, the company has continued to reduce the environmental impacts associated with project delivery.
Sustainable Materials
PRIMARY actively explores and adopts environmentally preferable materials, prioritising sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable options such as FSC-certified paper, eco-friendly textiles and PVC-free vinyl.
In 2025, non-PVC products accounted for 72% of the company’s manufacturing materials, with the proportion continuing to increase year on year.
The company also improves material efficiency by optimising cutting layouts and reducing offcuts and production waste, supporting lower-carbon and more efficient project delivery.
Recycling and Reuse
PRIMARY has established a recycling system covering production materials such as paper, vinyl and packaging, promoting the reprocessing and reuse of materials and finished products.
In 2025, the company recycled and reused more than 50,000 square metres of PVC products, representing an increase of 200% compared with 2022.
During the same year, 60% of the PET polyester fibres used in the company’s textile materials came from recycled sources, representing a year-on-year increase of 100%.
Energy Optimisation
PRIMARY continues to improve energy efficiency and optimise its energy mix.
The company uses energy-efficient equipment, including LED ink-curing systems, in its production processes and applies refined energy management practices to optimise consumption patterns and reduce operational emissions at source.
It also continues to procure renewable energy, further reducing the carbon impact associated with energy use in its operations.
Conclusion
As brand sustainability requirements extend into offline retail, events, exhibitions and visual communications in public spaces, PRIMARY’s carbon neutrality certification represents not only recognition of its operational emissions reduction achievements, but also its commitment to helping brand clients make offline communications lower-carbon and more traceable.
Looking ahead, PRIMARY will continue to advance emissions reductions across its full value chain, focusing on energy management, material selection, process upgrades, material-efficient design, recycling and reuse.
The company will also continue to fulfil its long-term commitment to maintaining operational carbon neutrality through 2056, helping reduce the environmental impact of its clients’ offline activities and supporting the industry’s transition towards lower-carbon, more sustainable supply chain collaboration.
