At CXD International, sustainability isn’t a separate initiative — it’s part of how we design products, run our business and support the heritage sector.

Since 1992, we’ve worked with museums, galleries, archives, libraries and conservation professionals around the world. Our role is simple: help protect cultural heritage for the long term. That responsibility shapes how we think about materials, manufacturing, efficiency and our wider impact.

One of the most important ways we reduce environmental impact is through durability, by designing products that are built to last and perform reliably over the long term.

Our conservation storage products — including acid-free boxes, museum-grade boards, specialist papers and polyester enclosures are engineered to protect collections for decades or even centuries.

When products last longer, they don’t need to be replaced as often. That means less material use over time and less waste.

Many of our archival materials are manufactured to recognised standards such as ISO 9706 and a number of products are independently tested to meet conservation safety benchmarks, including the Photographic Activity Test (PAT).

We continually look for ways to use resources more efficiently across our products and manufacturing processes.

Our Superior Millboard is 100% recycled made exclusively from archival quality paper and CXD Premier™ Archival Folding Boxboard waste. Instead of discarding valuable material, we reuse it to produce strong, archival-grade board suitable for conservation and bookbinding applications.

Our EcopHant™ archival boxes, made from this recycled board, combine durability with reduced raw material demand. Many are supplied flat-packed to improve transport efficiency and reduce storage space prior to use, while still providing robust, long-term protection suitable for a wide range of archival storage needs.

Our polyester enclosure range is designed as a permanent, long-life solution for collection protection.

These materials offer exceptional durability and stability, ensuring that once they are in use, they remain effective for many years without the need for replacement. This longevity plays an important role in reducing overall material consumption and waste.

While polyester is a highly stable material, we recognise the importance of responsible production. We are always actively exploring ways to recycle the small amount of manufacturing waste generated during our production process, with the aim of further reducing our environmental impact without compromising on the high standards required for conservation.

Sustainability in the heritage sector is closely linked to preventative care and long-term collection protection.

Our boxmaking machinery, oxygen-free storage systems, vacuum packing equipment and environmental monitoring tools help institutions protect collections before damage occurs.

Preventing deterioration reduces the need for intensive future treatments, replacement materials and additional resource use.

Long-lasting equipment and reliable engineering also mean fewer replacements and lower operational disruption for our clients.

Behind our products is a structured management approach aligned with recognised ISO standards and best practice.

This supports:

• Clear policies and documented processes
• Ongoing performance monitoring
• Environmental risk management
• Continuous improvement

We also work with suppliers who share our commitment to quality and responsible sourcing.

To help minimise our carbon footprint, we carefully select courier partners who prioritise sustainable delivery solutions, including reduced emissions and efficient routing.

Our responsibility goes beyond supplying materials, encompassing our wider commitment to the heritage sector.

CXD International and our founder Stuart Welch have supported the conservation sector during times of need. Following the Prague floods in 2002, Stuart’s development of vacuum drying technology and CXD’s involvement in recovery efforts helped libraries and archives treat and stabilise large numbers of water-damaged books and documents.

Building on this legacy, CXD continues to support international recovery efforts. Following Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka in 2025, institutions adopted our vacuum packing technology to aid the stabilisation of water-damaged collections, applying the Squelch Drying method.

This demonstrates the continued relevance of proven conservation techniques in modern disaster response. We remain committed to the sector through knowledge sharing, product development and long-term partnerships with cultural institutions.