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Switching to more sustainable inks |
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June 2010 |
More sustainable inks used to print variable-data codes on primary and secondary packaging are becoming available. The benefits of shifting to these inks can be substantial for product manufacturers, particularly in the area of cost savings.
Depending on the variable-data ink selected, cost savings may be found in handling, waste disposal, personal protective equipment, permitting, reporting and record-keeping.
This is according to John Folkers, chief technology officer at Videojet Technologies in the US. He says: "It might not seem that the inks within a variable-data printer on a production line can have much impact on making a manufacturer and its facility more sustainable. But a package's composition includes the ink, and that influences recycling options. There is a growing trend for managing packaging waste from 'cradle to cradle', which strives to have a product's packaging recycled and re-used, making that package more sustainable. But to do that, the manufacturer must know exactly what comprises a package before it enters the supply chain. Some package printing inks are even formulated for more seamless removal during the later manufacturing or recycling process."
Folkers explains that variable-data printer ink is made up of three basic components:
1. Dye or a code's colourant.
2. Resin that makes the ink (and therefore, a code) adhere to the packaging substrate or the product itself.
3. Solvent that can be viewed as a "carrier" of both the dye and resin, and is crucial in facilitating the application process.
"Many chemicals can be used as a solvent, including acetone, methanol, cyclohexanone, methylethylketone and ethanol. There are also inks that use water as a carrier," says Folkers. "The chemical content, particularly the carrier, makes some variable-data inks more sustainable than others."
He advises manufacturers to contact their suppliers to assess printers, inks and application specifics, so that they can provide recommendations on the most effective changes to make.
Folkers says: "Engaging printers with maximum uptime - printers that run longer between maintenance - is a good example, as it reduces the amount of cleaning solution required to clean printheads, resulting in fewer potential, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) entering the atmosphere.
"Shifting to an ink with fewer VOCs or one that is intrinsically 'safer', will also reduce worker exposure to such compounds. Some printer suppliers can perform VOC emissions estimates based on consumption rates of equipment. Others may suggest moving a printer to a different location on a production line to reduce worker exposure to VOCs."
Videojet Technologies is represented in SA by Nampak I&CS:
Tel 011-453-9075.
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