David Savastano, Editor03.14.24
In the past decade or so, businesses and consumers around the world have become much more interested in the idea of sustainability, which covers a wide range of ideas. Many of these trends have been around for a while – businesses have long been focused on manufacturing more efficiently, and the environment has been a priority for many companies. Cost was still a key deciding issue, though.
What has changed is the level of interest. Now, ink manufacturers report their printer customers are looking for solutions, largely because brand owners have concluded that sustainability makes good business sense. Aside from the financial benefits, big corporations do not want to be seen as environmentally unfriendly.
Sustainability covers many areas. Running manufacturing facilities more efficiently saves on energy and costs. Developing bio-based materials saves on certain raw materials. Finding better approaches to implement the Circular Economy, encouraging re-use, recycling or composting, is simply wise.
In that regard, ink manufacturers are playing their part. In “Sustainability and the Ink Industry,” which begins on page 22, I spoke with many ink industry leaders who detailed their strategies when it comes to de-inking and recycling. This also comes up in “Packaging Inks Continue to Enjoy Growth,” which starts on page 20. Creating packaging that can be better recycled is crucial, and it is a challenge that ink experts are successfully pursuing.
It is also an area of interest in “The 2024 Energy-Curable Ink Report,” beginning on page 25. The sustainability advantages of UV, UV LED and EB curing are well known, and UV LED has been the fastest growing of these technologies. What is quite interesting is the growth in Dual-Cure inks. By developing inks that can be cured by either UV LED or conventional UV, customers can reduce inventory and operational complexity while improving energy efficiency.
What has changed is the level of interest. Now, ink manufacturers report their printer customers are looking for solutions, largely because brand owners have concluded that sustainability makes good business sense. Aside from the financial benefits, big corporations do not want to be seen as environmentally unfriendly.
Sustainability covers many areas. Running manufacturing facilities more efficiently saves on energy and costs. Developing bio-based materials saves on certain raw materials. Finding better approaches to implement the Circular Economy, encouraging re-use, recycling or composting, is simply wise.
In that regard, ink manufacturers are playing their part. In “Sustainability and the Ink Industry,” which begins on page 22, I spoke with many ink industry leaders who detailed their strategies when it comes to de-inking and recycling. This also comes up in “Packaging Inks Continue to Enjoy Growth,” which starts on page 20. Creating packaging that can be better recycled is crucial, and it is a challenge that ink experts are successfully pursuing.
It is also an area of interest in “The 2024 Energy-Curable Ink Report,” beginning on page 25. The sustainability advantages of UV, UV LED and EB curing are well known, and UV LED has been the fastest growing of these technologies. What is quite interesting is the growth in Dual-Cure inks. By developing inks that can be cured by either UV LED or conventional UV, customers can reduce inventory and operational complexity while improving energy efficiency.