System Cuts VOC Emissions In The Pressroom

A pressroom alcohol reduction system designed specifically to reduce atmosphere polluting VOC emissions has been launched by consumables manufacturer Hydro-Dynamic Products (HDP).

A pressroom alcohol reduction system designed specifically to reduce atmosphere polluting VOC emissions has been launched by consumables manufacturer Hydro-Dynamic Products (HDP).

HDP claimed that its Finesse system, which combines three anti-pollution products, will provide a route to the elimination of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in the pressroom.

HDP managing director David Sheard said rigorous trials conducted by the company showed that using the Finesse system can completely eliminate IPA use and reduce emissions.

He said: "This is the first time a consumables manufacturer has introduced a system that can enable printers to operate in an IPA-free environment.

It can help cut the industry's reliance on IPA and benefit the environment as a whole." The three elements working in tandem to make up the Finesse system are hydrophilic dampening rollers, 'green' fountain solutions and the company's newly-launched Envirofilter, which has also been successfully trialled.

Sheard added: "All too frequently the aim of reducing, or eliminating IPA is let down by the use of inefficient or old dampening rollers.

Fitting our new hydrophilic rollers will overcome this problem." Trials of the rollers have shown them to be effective in ensuring an even and continuous dampening film is applied to the printing plates, which is a very important requirement of today's high speed presses, said HDP.

Combining the hydrophilic rollers with a fount solution from HDP's Total Respect range provides two benefits.

Water use is reduced without increasing the speed of the metering roller and the amount of IPA required is substantially reduced, or even cut out altogether, it is claimed.

The third element of the Finesse system, the Envirofilter, improves the condition of the fount by filtering out damaging waste continually, ensuring the chemistry stays at optimum performance for far longer.

Efficiently maintaining water quality on-press where alcohol has been reduced or eliminated by the other two elements of the system, the Envirofilter complements all lithographic presses, added the company.

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