Environmentally Aware Printing – Dealing with the stickies problem Part 4
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010Environmentally Aware Printing – Dealing with the stickies problem Part 4 – 3rd March 2010
If removal of stickies by one of the above techniques is not practical or economical then chemical techniques can be utilised. This exploits the chemical differences between stickies and fibres. This can lead to either dispersion of the stickies to a very fine particle of such a size that problems are not evident or passivation of the stickies. This second approach basically de-activates the stickie particles so that they can be incorporated into the finished product undetected.
A wide range of treatments has been researched and is being used for this purpose. Common ones include talc, alum, polypropylene/ polyethylene fibrils, ethoxylated alkylphenols, zirconium, salts, ionic dispersants/ stabilisers and solvents.
In some mills a failsafe mechanism is employed in the form of a high shear, high temperature dispersing unit. The aim of this is to break down any contraries which reach the end of the cycle, into a very small particle size. This facilitates even distribution of finely divided and hopefully undetectable particles throughout the finished product.
Whilst all these techniques are useful in controlling recycling efficiency and product quality, there is a cost involved. Eventual removal and disposal of contraries can also be a costly business. Most recycling mills now build this into their calculations as they ‘Cost of Quality’. The question which remains is ‘Can this cost be minimised or possibly removed by technological development in the adhesives field?’
Peter Harrison is Joint Managing Director of The Printing House Ltd, and Print Buying Direct of Crewe, Cheshire, UK.
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Also – checkout our new online print prices Print Buying Direct are UK market Leaders in Leaflet Printing | Brochure Printing. For more free articles on Printing and Graphic Design see our Online Printing | Print Buying Direct Website. For more information on printing and graphic design please see some of our recent blog articles;
- Environmentally Aware Printing – Dealing with the stickies problem Part 3
- Environmentally Aware Printing – Dealing with the stickies problem Part 2
- Environmentally Aware Printing – Dealing with the stickies problem – Part 1
- Environmentally Aware Printing – Definition of recyclability of Adhesives
- Environmentally Aware Printing – Inks | Adhesives | Bookbinding adhesives
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