Solvent-based method is the first choice for eco-board processing

The flexographic printing industry is no exception here, even with flexographic plates such as flexo, it represents a relatively low percentage (usually at 1 percentage point), and finished packaging can make a contribution to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in manufacturing manufacturing step. According to the analysis of the two alternatives, the traditional process, Flint Group Flexographic Products believes that the key advantages of solvent-based sheet metal processing. In terms of ecological balance and cost-effectiveness, this is the leading extra field in the field that provides the opportunity for definitive process optimization, making further improvements in the impact of the environment.

In the manufacture of photosensitive flexo printing forms, the solvent flushing process has become a reliable production standard due to its productivity, simple operation and effective cost structure itself. If an effective contribution is to contribute to improving the environmental impact at the global level, the main focus of long-term optimization of solvent-based sheet metal processing is required.

Extending the existing advantages of solvent elution and flexo printing, such as a key advantage:
- Employees with familiar technologies and processes
- With existing equipment can also continue to use.
- Users can rely on a wide range of products from different suppliers.
- The existing technology is suitable for all flexo printing applications.
- The highest format in the entire series of formats provides coverage systems up to 1320 x 2032 mm for different manufacturers.
- From 0.76 mm thickness of all plates to 6.35 mm can be processed with the solvent type method.
- Solvent-based methods provide a high level of productivity, especially cost-effectiveness, when compared to the parallel processing of several plate standard plates.
- As a high proportion of solvent recovery, the impact on the environment is also very low.
In addition to these fundamental interests, the great potential of solvent technology further improves the environmental impact of this process.

Five Steps to Improve Carbon Footprint According to the Flint Group flexo products, there are five high-efficiency option board processes that greatly contribute to specific measures for climate protection.

1. Since the plate has the most influential global warming potential (global warming potential, see the information box) is thin, it is recommended to use as much as possible. In this way, from the board switch, for example, a 1.14 mm thick 1.14 mm board reduces the contribution of the GWP value of 17%. The benefits here are not only the climate, but also the user can use up to 30% of the production cost.
2. Solvent recovery plays an important role. If the maximum recovery rate of 90 to 95% cannot be achieved with the company's own resources, it may be worth using external recycling capabilities.
3. In this regard, it is equally important to choose an environmentally friendly solvent flush. Nylosolv® A has been considered suitable for industrial solvents for several years.
4. The efficient use of efficient processing equipment and dryrs offers considerable potential. According to Flint Group flexo products, the nyloflex system is particularly advantageous when it comes to energy and solvent consumption.
5. Last but not least, especially in complex processes like the packaging production chain, the entire process, such as flexographic printing, should be evaluated to determine the opportunities for further improvement. Obviously there is the potential to pass through the life of consumables with substrates or printing inks such as sleeves.

The practical use of the solvent in the economic and ecological balance has been promoted for decades of continuous development. Decisive progress can be made with the elution solvent, solvent recovery and chemical composition of the flushing equipment technology. To a large extent, Flint Group flexo products do contribute to these important developments. As early as 20 years ago, the company launched "nylosolv?", the first chlorine-free elution solvent for the commercial market. With nyloflex® streamline washing machines, the company has developed a fully automated system that prints the benzidine printing plates during a continuous rinse process. Not only that, the Flint Group flexo products also facilitate the selection of an efficient solvent distillation system through special financing.

The main environmental factors are usually considered to be product innovation and development, as well as visible with the general cost-effectiveness ratio. This also explains the analysis of eco-efficiency (European Economic Area), in which the Lint Group flexo products were announced in mid-2008. This comprehensive study of the solvent-based photothermographic plates and the scouring of mature technologies is more focused on the technologies provided by DuPont. The evaluated data shows that solvent technology - which constitutes 95% of the world's market - is more than 10% cost-effective, and that carbon dioxide emissions are also advantageously low.

The comparison of the two processes that are critical to the user with a limited choice of thermal processes is not limited to ecological and economic factors, but is also considering taking further related aspects. For example, the choice of thermal methods is limited to one single supplier and two format categories (1067 x 1524 mm and 920 x 1200 mm). The same applies to the thickness of the plate, which limits the thickness of the hot work between 1.14 mm and 2.84 mm. Therefore, if the corrugated printing market is subdivided, it can be fully operated and traditionally manufactured. In addition, the limited format chose a negative impact on the amount of waste generated in the platemaking process. The maximum format of the processor cannot be fully utilized for every job, but the entire width is completely consumed.

Especially when applying with strict quality standards, thermal technology may show other problems. In the case of plates with a thickness of 114 mm, almost as high as the industry standard for high-quality flexographic printing, a three-dimensional transformation adds to the risk that high process temperatures affect carrier foil stability. In contrast, solvent-based technology did not show any signs of limitation. Even the traditional board, as well as the entire range of board thickness, can achieve high reliability with strict quality standards.

Recycling - a key factor in the ecological benefits of traditional processing in flexographic printing plates, solvent recovery is a problem for the user's process, even if only from an economic point of view. An average of 87.5% is solvent recovery. If an outside professional company, 95% of the recovery solvent distillation standards. This value also reaches inside the modern distillation system that large trading companies often operate.
Without solvent recovery, the impact on the environment of the board production process will be quite high. Due to the large amount of solvent recovery, the traditional treatment methods are mainly better selection and hotter technologies. This is effective even when the widely used nylon mesh does not use materials and the new polyester network is applied to the heat processor. This new generation of networks has already contributed to the goal of reducing the equivalent of high carbon dioxide polyamide networks.

Simple operation, high scores, impact on the environment If the offset printing industry wants to achieve the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from sheet processing at the beginning, the existing process optimization will play an important role. There is still great potential to significantly improve the environmental balance with simple measures. On the contrary, the conversion of hot plate processing to new technologies can only prove the advantage under very specific ecological conditions. All in all, the user's performance, their tradition, because all available formats and plate-thickening processes can also be used in various areas of solvent printing and application of flexographic printing plates, in addition, the technology is applicable to solvents. This is not only a highly ecological and qualitative advantage, but it is also impressively cost-effective.