Flexography
Flexography, also known as flexographic printing or flexo, is a growing sector particularly used for printing on a variety of different materials such as plastic, foil, acetate film, brown paper, and other materials used in packaging.
Typical flexographic products include flexible packaging such as retail and shopping bags, food and hygiene bags and sacks, milk and beverage cartons, flexible plastics, self-adhesive labels, disposable cups and containers, envelopes and wallpaper. A number of newspapers now shun the more traditional offset lithography in favour of flexo.
The problem of solvent emissions in flexible packaging
The four issues that dominate flexography are quality, productivity, economic considerations and VOC regulations. Where quality and productivity are essential, solvent-based inks still provide the best option. And specialists in flexo printing do not consider that water-based inks will fully replace solvent-based ink anytime soon.
The problem with solvent-based inks, however, is the emission of VOC’s, or Volatile Organic Compounds. The European Union's Solvent Emissions Directive requires the reduction of the emission of VOC’s into the environment by setting limits to industries such as flexible packaging.
There are various options for reducing VOC emissions including solvent recovery, thermal oxidation incineration and now - with the VOCUS - clean biotechnology.
Yet technologies like solvent recovery and incineration are very costly and put pressure on profitability - not only because of the high initial investment, but also due to their high fuel consumption.
The VOCUS can do it all
Recognising the requirements of flexo printers and the limitations associated with alternative inks, incineration and other technologies, Pure Air Solutions developed the VOCUS. The VOCUS allows you:
- To maintain your quality using solvent-based inks
- To increase your productivity and competitiveness
- To avoid high investments in incineration and ever-increasing fuel costs
- To comply with the Solvent Emissions Directive
Even if you have already invested in incineration or recovery equipment, it may still be attractivefor you to install a VOCUS. With our low life cycle cost, we can achieve an ROI period of less than two years. Please allow us to calculate your advantage!