Flexographic Printing and Environmentally Friendly Packaging (Part 1)

【Summary Description】 1. Green and environmentally friendly packaging refers to packaging that is harmless to the ecological environment and human health, can be recycled and reused, and can maintain sustainable development. In 1999, Europe drafted a law that made the following provisions on environmental protection and packaging: (1) Packaging materials should be as few as possible and the volume should be as small as possible. (2) Secondary use of packaging materials is necessary Require packaging to generate new value by recycling and processing product packaging to form new packaging materials or convert them into other resources. In addition, many developed countries have also determined that packaging should comply with the "3R+1D" principle, which is low consumption, reuse, recycling, and biodegradability.

1、 The connotation and innovation of green and environmentally friendly packaging

 

1. Green and environmentally friendly packaging refers to packaging that is harmless to the ecological environment and human health, can be recycled and reused, and can maintain sustainable development. In 1999, Europe drafted a law that made the following provisions on environmental protection and packaging: (1) Packaging materials should be as few as possible and the volume should be as small as possible. (2) Secondary use of packaging materials is necessary Require packaging to generate new value by recycling and processing product packaging to form new packaging materials or convert them into other resources. In addition, many developed countries have also determined that packaging should comply with the "3R+1D" principle, which is low consumption, reuse, recycling, and biodegradability.

 

In 1987, the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development called for the use of green packaging in "Our Common Future".

 

The requirements for packaging materials are becoming increasingly strict internationally, and many countries have formulated corresponding laws and regulations. Some countries have strict and cumbersome regulations on the packaging of goods, and importers must comply with these regulations, otherwise they are not allowed to import or sell in the market. This has also become a requirement of the WTO, with an increasing emphasis on green packaging.

 

2. Definition and objectives of environmentally friendly packaging

 

The goals and requirements of environmentally friendly packaging run through the entire process of product design, production, packaging, and sales, and continue until waste utilization and recycling. Environmental packaging requires that the packaging of goods must comply with the requirements of harmless, pollution-free, and environmentally friendly throughout the entire process of selecting, developing, processing, using, and recycling raw materials. At present, developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, and France have formulated corresponding packaging regulations and policies. Some countries even implement the "environmental labeling" system to strengthen the environmental protection awareness of manufacturers, importers, and retailers.

 

Environmentally friendly packaging, also known as green packaging. Packaging is the beautification of products, and the concept of "green" makes this beautification process more environmentally friendly.

 

The basis for environmentally friendly packaging is ISO14000, and most countries promote environmentally friendly packaging models based on this standard. The ISO14000 series explicitly stipulates that all international purchased products (packaging) must undergo environmental certification and ecological assessment (LCA), and use environmental labeling. Since 1999, the implementation of green "environmental labeling" by ISO has pushed the green revolution of product packaging to a new level, which has greatly promoted Chinese exporters.

 

If a product or enterprise obtains an environmental label, it is equivalent to obtaining a "pass" to enter the national market where the environmental label system is implemented. Otherwise, the market competitiveness of the product will be seriously undermined, and environmental labels will increasingly become a symbol for enterprises to improve efficiency and establish their image.

 

With the rising awareness of environmental protection and the rise of the global economy and industrial system, the concept of "zero degree packaging" and "green packaging" led by the packaging revolution has been implemented, and green goods and green packaging have become new hotspots. Green packaging is a high-tech form of packaging, starting from raw materials, to the design and manufacturing of packaging, and then to the use and recycling of products, every step must be resource-saving, efficient, and harmless.

 

3. Green packaging printing

 

What is green packaging printing? What is inseparable from packaging is the environmental issues caused by printing.

2、 Environmentally friendly flexographic printing technology

 

New technologies and materials are constantly emerging, many of which can be used in the field of green packaging printing. Flexographic printing is an example. Domestic enterprises have always had a strong desire and demand for new environmental protection technologies, and the unique characteristics of flexible versions provide a good prospect for their development in China.

 

Although flexographic printing started relatively late, its development has been exceptionally rapid. According to statistics, the current market share of flexographic printing in the United States accounts for 70% in the packaging printing field, 85% in the label printing field, and 90% in the corrugated box field. This is due to the advantages of flexographic printing. Compared with gravure printing, it not only reduces plate making costs and shortens cycles, but also has similar image quality; Compared with offset printing, it not only greatly increases the variety of substrates, but also solves the problem of color difference in offset printing. Especially the non-toxic water-based ink used in flexographic printing is beyond the reach of gravure and offset printing. Flexographic ink is the only non-toxic ink recognized by the American Food and Drug Association among all printing inks, and therefore, it is widely used for packaging and printing of food and dairy beverages. The printing of corrugated cardboard boxes, plastic flexible packaging, composite packaging materials, Tetra Pak bags, Tetra Pak pillows, and label printing are environmentally friendly and practical. Only by comparing it with other printing methods, especially offset printing and gravure printing, can we understand the advantages and disadvantages of flexographic printing.

 

Modern enterprises should pay attention to the development of environmentally friendly packaging technology to enhance their public image.

 

2. Flexographic printing, originally known as "aniline printing", is a printing technique that combines gravure and embossing. Modern flexographic printing technology is a new applied discipline. The printing plate is made of resin, and the ink is water-based. The surface of the printed material is polished with UV varnish and dried under UV radiation. The quality of the printed material can be comparable to that of offset and gravure printing. With the application of digital technology, it is basically odorless and non-toxic, with no residual odor in printed materials, high UV gloss, and no need for lamination, greatly reducing environmental pollution during printing. It is particularly suitable for printing packaging boxes for food and light industrial products. The waste generated after its use can be recycled and easily degraded in the natural environment. With the continuous enhancement of human environmental protection awareness, flexographic printing technology will have a great development in the first half of this century.

 

Flexographic printing is an environmentally friendly printing method, and the printed products are green printing products. The characteristics of flexographic printing equipment are accurate printing, high printing speed, low investment, and fast results, making it an efficient printing technology. With the development of water-based printing technology, printing has successfully solved the technical difficulties of inking and irreversibility. In the 21st century, corrugated cardboard boxes will gradually use flexographic printing technology to replace offset printing, which will avoid the pollution of offset printing ink on the body and the bitterness of smelling ink. So flexographic printing will be one of the most important printing techniques of the 21st century.

 

Table 1 shows the predicted results based on the 1999 statistical data released by the United States. From Table 1, we can see the changes in the proportion of various printing methods to the total printing volume over the next 25 years.

 

In recent years, flexographic printing has developed rapidly worldwide, especially with its obvious advantages in improving the environment. In developed countries in Europe and America, it is considered the "best and most promising printing on Earth"

3、 Application of environmentally friendly water-based ink and UV varnish

 

At present, traditional corrugated cardboard boxes are still used for packaging in foreign countries, and the environmentally-friendly green packaging (flexographic printed corrugated cardboard boxes) promoted is still high-tech in developed countries and a special industry in China. It is highly challenging for cardboard box enterprises due to its high technological content and advanced technology. The printing materials and ink required for packaging should not only meet environmental requirements, but also adapt to high-speed and exquisite packaging graphic and text printing.

 

The main application field of environmentally friendly water-based ink and UV gloss is currently flexographic printing. With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, there is an urgent need for "green" printing materials. High precision water-based ink and UV gloss belong to high viscosity (1000-3000 cps). Due to the absence of volatile organic solvents, they have the characteristics of being non-toxic, non irritating, non corrosive, non flammable, non explosive, and safe to use. During use, the product can be directly diluted with natural water or ethanol, which is not harmful to the environment or human body. Therefore, it can not only reduce the residual toxicity on the surface of printed materials, Water based ink and UV gloss are known as a new type of "green" printing material, as they are convenient for cleaning printing equipment and can reduce the risk of fire and hazards caused by static electricity and solvents. Corrugated cardboard is a loose interwoven fabric of fibers with strong water absorption. After printing water-based ink, penetration drying is the main method without the need for a drying device. So, water-based ink is particularly suitable for printing corrugated cardboard boxes.

 

The special flexographic water-based ink selected by Qingdao Jiali Company is a water-based ink product developed by using water-soluble acrylic resin, screening pigments and additives through comparative tests, compounding with acrylic lotion, adding cross-linking agent, and optimizing the formula through orthogonal tests.

 

The basic formula of the selected water-based ink is shown in Table 2.

 

Its main technical indicators are shown in Table 3.

 

2. Due to the increasing standardization of ink quality, the color standard of ink is approaching the Pantone standard in the United States. It adopts internationally advanced production lines such as ball mills, oblique three roll inking machines, and filtration equipment produced by Swiss company Buhler, as well as advanced foreign technologies. It continuously develops flexible and water-based flexible packaging inks and updates old products.