Flexo vs. Gravure (CONT’D FROM PAGE 37)
The Perfect Combo Get Peak Performance From Your Equipment with Matched Component Sets
and development potential of flexographic printing tech- nology, including their sustainability aspects. The study concluded that there are significant sustain- ability benefits for printing and packaging companies in China to switch from gravure to flexography, or at a mini- mum, begin to introduce flexography into their operations. “The most significant sustainability advantage,” Dr. Mo added, “came in the comparison of flexography using water-wash plates and water-based inks. We found emis- sions to be less than 4 CO2eq/m2 for this configuration, compared to as much as 140 kg- CO2eq/m2 for gravure
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using solvent inks, a reduction of 136 kg-CO2eq/m2, or 35 times less emissions. While results from all sites were not this exaggerated, the best-case scenario for gravure re- sulted in emissions of 34 kg-CO2eq/m2 for gravure.” Running Afoul Of Regulations The professor noted that even when using solvent inks, gravure emitted more than three times as much CO2eq/ m2, test results achieved at one site where both technol- ogies were in place. “Based on our long experience in the packaging print industry in China, we realized that people in the industry have been waiting for a game changer in the market,” said Yuji Suzuki, Technical Support Professional for Asahi. “This neutral study from BICG clearly demonstrates that that game changer is here, and it is the fact data comparison study of a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing flexogra- phy to gravure in China packaging printing industry. Gov- ernment regulation has the highest power in China, and we expect to see strict regulations about CO2 emissions imposed in the coming months. This study has the po- tential to accelerate implementation of those regulations. Both brand owners and converters should be thinking now about investment in flexography, even if it is costly. The risk of running afoul of these coming regulations is too high.” SA printer located in Anhui, China, used both gravure and flex- ography printing technologies with solvent inks. An LCA (life cycle assessment) was conducted to compare the carbon foot- prints of these two printing methods when producing the same products. The comparison analyzed the environmental impact of the solvent-based gravure and flexography processes within a single printer facility.
That’s why the engineers at ARC International have focused their skills and talents on crafting perfect matches between the components that must work in tandem on your flexo folder gluers and die-cutters: • Anilox Rollers and Ink Chambers • Anilox and Wiper Rollers • Feed and Pull Rollers • Glue and Meter Rollers You can achieve the press speeds and print quality you need to fill your most demanding orders by pairing your team with The ARChitects of Flexo . Contact ARC today to learn how these engineered matches of flexo folder gluer and die-cutter components (new or reconditioned) can help you achieve a more perfect union of production and profits.
The ARChitects of Flexo
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November 25, 2024
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