Durst, from the outset of its inkjet business, has only been concerned with environmentally friendly printing processes. That is why it has exclusively followed the UV curing ink route. All Durst Rho inks contain no VOCs and strictly conform to the “Restriction of Hazardous Substances” (RoHS) Directive 2002/96/EC and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC. This means that Durst’s Rho inks do not have to carry the symbol of the “dead fish” or “dead tree”.

Many printers may seem unaware of the fact that UV curing inks with “very low” solvents, or VOC free inks which include photo initiators, can still contaminate the water table and therefore have to carry the mark of the “dead fish” or the “dead tree”. They might believe that by just using UV inks they are fully conforming to the growing requests from their customers who are, in general, becoming much more environmentally aware.

Many large organisations, with real environmental protection philosophies, such as Starbucks or Ben & Jerry’s, are looking at the complete process of how a print, including the media, recyclability, and ink, conforms to their environmental platform.

Durst has looked at the whole aspect of recyclability of its inks and independent tests carried out by the Institute for Paper Science and Technology in Darmstadt, Germany have certified that Durst Rho inks printed onto corrugated board are “recyclable” according to PTS-RH:21/97.

Rho inks have been further tested and meet Toy Standard EN71 Part 3, which limits the concentration of specific heavy metals in the coatings used for toys, including antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and selenium. Also Durst has recently applied for the “The Nordic Swan” symbol - a world-leading Ecolabel, for its Rho inks. The Nordic Ecolabel was established in 1989 by the Nordic Council of Ministers, with the purpose of providing an environmental labelling system that would contribute to a sustainable consumerism. It was also initiated as a practical tool for consumers to help them actively choose environmentally-sound products. In the case of inks, the Nordic Ecolabelling covers the following classifications: environment hazard, toxicity, problematic substances and volatile organic substances (VOCs).

Protecting the environment is not just using the right ink
Caring for the environment also includes the materials used in constructing the printer,  e.g. the total energy consumption and, in particular, that used by the UV lamps, the quantity of ink required for flushing or purging in order to maintain the print heads, and the recyclability of the printed inks and substrate.  Typically a Durst printer will require purging once a day. It is not uncommon for machines from other manufacturers to require purging up to 5 or 6 times per day. This of course, not only wastes between 400 to 450mls per shift and, over the year, more than 125 litres, but also it is very damaging to the environment, and your pocket!

Durst is concerned with all the above factors in the manufacture of its machines, and its extensive R & D programme continues to have environmental issues at the forefront of its work, now and for the foreseeable future.

Published : 2009-01-18