Slovenia Goes Green – Eco Friendly Publishing at Frankfurt 2025

At the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, Slovenia isn’t just making headlines for its literature — it’s turning heads for how it’s printing. As the Guest of Honour, Slovenia is showcasing its commitment to sustainability in publishing, proving that storytelling and eco-consciousness can go hand in hand.

From recycled paper to carbon-neutral printing, Slovenian publishers are rethinking every stage of book production. Whether you’re a publisher, supplier, or reader who cares about the planet, here’s how Slovenia is putting green innovation at the heart of the book world.

Purpose

The publishing industry is often criticized for its environmental footprint — but Slovenia is flipping the script. Its publishers are leading a quiet revolution, proving you can create beautiful, high-quality books without harming the Earth.

This eco-focus at Frankfurt 2025 isn’t a side exhibit — it’s front and center. Visitors will see firsthand how sustainable practices are being applied at scale, from children’s books to academic journals.

Materials

Paper is where it all starts. Slovenian publishers have embraced eco-certified materials like:

• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper
• Recycled paper blends
• Tree-free alternatives like hemp and stone paper

They’re also using non-toxic vegetable-based inks and biodegradable lamination options. These choices reduce environmental impact without compromising on quality or design.

Expect paper samples, material demos, and side-by-side comparisons at the Slovenian pavilion. It’s a tactile way to see the difference sustainability makes.

Printing

Slovenian printers are pushing innovation with carbon-neutral facilities powered by renewable energy. Many of them track emissions and offset their footprint through reforestation or carbon credit programs.

Here’s what eco-printing includes:

• Energy-efficient offset and digital presses
• Waterless printing techniques
• Use of soy and algae-based inks
• Print-on-demand models to reduce overproduction

Some publishers are even experimenting with blockchain to trace the environmental journey of each book from print to shelf.

Design

Design is a huge part of sustainable publishing. Slovenian book designers are learning to think green from the start, minimizing waste and excess.

Here’s how they’re doing it:

• Optimizing book sizes to reduce paper cuts
• Avoiding heavy coatings or plastic sleeves
• Choosing binding methods that use fewer toxic adhesives

The result? Books that feel beautiful and function well — but with a much smaller footprint.

Publishers

Leading Slovenian publishers embracing green production include:

• Založba Mladinska knjiga — launching an entire eco-book collection
• Beletrina — mixing cultural publishing with climate activism
• KUD Sodobnost — experimenting with low-impact, artisanal formats

They’re not just changing how they print — they’re advocating for industry-wide change. Expect to see these names in panels, workshops, and B2B meetings throughout the fair.

B2B

The sustainability trend opens huge doors for international partnerships. At Frankfurt 2025, Slovenian publishers are looking to:

• License green publishing tech
• Co-produce books with eco-minded partners
• Offer consulting on sustainable book production

There’s also a growing market for rights sales of climate-related books — fiction and nonfiction — where the content and the format align with eco-values.

Impact

What’s impressive isn’t just the materials or methods — it’s the mindset. Slovenian publishers see sustainability not as a trend, but a responsibility. They’re setting a powerful example for small countries leading big change.

Visitors to the Slovenian pavilion will leave with more than catalogues — they’ll leave with ideas, contacts, and the inspiration to print smarter, cleaner, and greener.

FAQs