What Makes a Digital Print Recyclable? Results of a European Survey

Abstract

Digital printing is being used more and more. Most technologies are well accepted but pose some difficulties with respect to deinkability and paper recycling. Worldwide, approximately 50 % of the paper is recycled. Digital printing should not be a determinating factor in reducing or stabilizing this number. Most developers as well as printers are not aware of these difficulties neither of the existing differences in the printing processes in terms of the recyclability of the printed product.The paper gives an outline on paper recycling to explain how problems can arise with some digital prints. It will deal with high speed printing processes, dye and pigment based inkjet, liquid and dry toners and UV curable technologies. Results obtained e.g. within a research project sponsored by INGEDE during the last three years at the CTP (Grenoble, France) suggest that oil based inks on coated paper and dry toner are the preferred technologies with respect to this matter [1]. First results of a European Survey on the deinkability of digitally printed papers will be presented.