Sonopress is a leading international entertainment and media service provider offering a comprehensive range of solutions to companies in the home entertainment, video games, audio, publishing, and TV/broadcasting industries.
The company’s service portfolio covers all areas of media asset management: from digital services, electronic content distribution, archiving, and asset management to the replication of CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs and 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, to print management and printing services, as well as fulfilment and supply chain management. Most recently, the company has added fully integrated LP production to its portfolio.
“What makes us different is a culture of quality and innovation, and the dedication to always do a little bit more, a little bit better. This internal culture of continuous improvement is the key factor behind Sonopress’s success.,” says company CEO Sven Deutschmann.
“Rather than benchmarking solely against competitors, we strive to surpass our past achievements. We have decades of experience in the industry, possess comprehensive know-how in the area of digitisation and engineering and are highly focused on sustainability.”
From religious literature to optical discs
Sonopress boasts a proud history. The company started to produce records in 1958, but the roots of its parent company go all the way back to 1835, when the main activity was publishing religious literature.
Over the decades, Sonopress has evolved to become a major player in the content storage sector, with all its processes supported by innovative end-to-end IT systems. Today, the company partners with global giants like Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music, and Paramount Pictures. “Our core business is producing storage media to bring beautiful content to consumers,” Deutschmann summarises the company’s purpose.
He explains that Sonopress employs 400 individuals directly, with additional seasonal hires boosting its workforce by up to 500 more during peak periods. Generating over €100 million in annual revenue, the company operates on a global scale and its innovative approaches position it as a leader in high-quality media production.
As part of Bertelsmann Marketing Services, Sonopress is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA.
The Eco Record
Among Sonopress’s notable achievements is the development of the Eco Record, a revolutionary product responding to the global demand for sustainability. This innovation, launched together with Sonopress’s long-standing customer Warner Music, revives the classic LP record using environmentally friendly methods.
“The Eco Record has had a tremendous response in the music industry and the product is something everybody in the company is really proud of,” says Deutschmann, pointing out that Coldplay released their tenth studio album as the world’s first 140-gram “Eco Record” LP, achieving both critical and commercial success. Its environmentally conscious design became a Billboard chart-topper, affirming the product’s quality and market appeal.
Each copy is made from nine recycled post-consumer PET plastic bottles on average. This avoids the production of more than 25 tons of virgin plastic and reduces the CO2 emissions of the manufacturing process by 85 percent compared to a conventional 140-gram vinyl LP.
Speaking about the surprising return of the classic LP records, Deutschmann says: “The revival of vinyl records is not only about nostalgia. Younger audiences are drawn to its tangible nature, experiencing music in a tactile, visual way.”
“Observing the needle navigate a record groove offers a unique connection to the music-making process, contrasting sharply with the impersonal experience of streaming platforms. Additionally, vinyl records offer ownership and collectible value, fostering loyalty and a deeper connection between fans and artists.”
Tangible and sustainable
Sonopress is the only producer of Eco Records, holding exclusive rights to its branding. However, the company welcomes competition, seeing it as a way to bolster trust among publishers and ensure the format’s sustainability as a market trend.
The Gütersloh-based company has now also produced the first “Eco CD” underscoring Sonopress’ commitment to supporting the music industry in its efforts toward a circular economy and climate neutrality.
The “Eco CD” is made from 90% recycled polycarbonate derived from post-consumer waste streams. This reduces the CO2 emissions associated with the material by up to 78% and, in the case of the new Coldplay CD, avoids the production of more than five tons of virgin plastic.
“We are delighted and a little proud to celebrate the launch of our latest product, the ‘Eco CD’, with such major artists as Coldplay,” says Deutschmann. “This is a strong signal to the market that both music creators and record labels are interested in these sustainable storage media.”
Adapted to changing market environment
Despite the global success of the Eco Record, the company has not been spared the challenges of the evolving market environment. “The biggest challenge is still the declining market trend of optical discs like CDs and DVDs. Since the start of music streaming around 15 years ago, the global market for optical data carriers has been shrinking – at first slowly and then with increasing momentum,” notes Deutschmann.
“And admittedly, another major challenge is the conversion of the entire company to sustainable production methods. The increased demand for sustainable products and product innovations as well as the issue of AI are already presenting us with major challenges. A trend that will certainly intensify in the years ahead.”
“However, both issues also present great opportunities for Sonopress, which we must and will consistently exploit. For example, in the area of product innovation. “Service providers and suppliers are of course a very important part of this journey. One example: Sonopress and SK Chemicals have agreed to cooperate in the field of 100% recycled PET for the Eco Record. This is a world first.”
Ambitious plans
Speaking of the future, Deutschmann affirms that the company is poised to accommodate growing demand, capitalising on new opportunities. Just a few weeks ago, Sonopress put another machine into operation for the production of Eco Records in order to meet the constantly increasing demand for this innovative product.
“We are set to double production capacity in Germany. The next step will be to further develop the North American market for the Eco Record, as this is the largest global market for the entertainment industry.”
“Local production in the US is not only advantageous from a commercial perspective, but also aligns with our sustainability goals, reducing the carbon footprint associated with shipping as well as with the product life cycle.”
From its historic beginnings to its current role as a pioneer of eco-friendly vinyl production, the company embodies a forward-thinking approach. Its story illustrates the importance of adaptability, a commitment to excellence, and meeting the evolving demands of a globalized, environmentally conscious audience.
