The growing concern for the environment has led the printing industry to rethink its practices. One of the most important aspects in this context is the recyclability of varnishes. Are there eco-friendly alternatives that are just as effective?
Today, we’ll discuss the recyclability of sustainable varnishes and which ones we use at Adhesivas Ibi. Keep reading!
Types of varnishes used and their main components
Varnishes are an essential part of the printing and packaging process, providing protection and enhancing the appearance of products. The type of varnish used directly impacts the recyclability of the final product.
Flexo UV varnishes
In our processes, we use flexo UV varnishes. These are formulated with acrylates, monomers, photoinitiators, and fillers, most of which are derived from petroleum.
UV-cured varnishes are primarily composed of acrylated monomers and oligomers. Once the coating is cured through exposure to UV light, it converts into an organic polymer. This conversion provides great durability to the final product.
- Acrylates: provide the base for polymer formation.
- Monomers: act as basic units that polymerize under UV light, forming the varnish structure.
- Photoinitiators: compounds that initiate the polymerization reaction when exposed to UV light.
- Fillers: additives that enhance specific properties, such as adhesion.
The use of varnishes complicates the recycling process of products. By reducing their weight, the difficulty of recycling can be minimized.
UV-cured varnishes enhance the durability of products, extending their lifespan and reducing the frequency at which they need to be recycled. This presents a dilemma: while the amount of waste is reduced in the short term, the presence of these protective layers complicates the recycling process, as they need to be separated from other components.
Recycling processes for paper and cardboard are designed to handle pure materials. The addition of varnishes, especially those that are not easily de-inkable, creates challenges.
Eco-friendly varnish alternatives
In the search for more sustainable solutions, eco-friendly and compostable varnishes have been developed. These are formulated to minimize the use of harmful substances and reduce environmental impact.
Low volatile organic compound (VOC) varnishes and bio-based materials are good alternatives. Although they come with a higher cost and limited availability, they offer benefits in terms of reducing environmental impact.
For example, water-based flexo varnishes use water as the dispersion medium instead of organic solvents, which significantly reduces VOC emissions and improves workplace safety.
On the other hand, compostable varnishes are designed to degrade safely and completely in a composting environment. They are formulated from biodegradable materials that break down into non-toxic components. However, they present challenges in terms of durability and compatibility with existing printing processes.
Effect on the recyclability of paper or cardboard
The adhesion of varnishes to paper or cardboard negatively impacts their recyclability. UV-cured varnishes, for example, adhere strongly, preventing proper recycling.
Traditional recycling systems use mechanical and chemical methods to separate paper fibers from coatings and inks. However, flexo UV varnishes, due to their chemical nature, are resistant to these methods.
One advantage of these UV coatings is that they extend the lifespan of paper or cardboard, thereby reducing the frequency at which they need to be recycled. By improving the paper’s resistance to moisture, wear, and other environmental factors, they help reduce waste throughout the supply chain.
Recyclability testing and sustainability improvements
To enhance sustainability, many factories are working on formulating varnishes that are safe for the end user and reducing or eliminating substances harmful to the environment.
Currently, at Adhesivas Ibi, we are not conducting recyclability tests on our current products. However, we do adopt environmental certifications, such as ISO 14001 certification, which validates us as a company committed to reducing its environmental impact.
This certification provides a framework for environmental management, helping companies identify opportunities to improve the sustainability of their processes. By complying with ISO 14001 requirements, companies demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
As you’ve seen, the recyclability of sustainable varnishes is a challenge that requires collaboration across the entire industry to find viable solutions. The search for eco-friendly and compostable coatings offers a promising direction, though it comes with certain cost and availability issues.
Now you know a bit more about us. If you’d like to learn more about Adhesivas Ibi, we invite you to explore our finishes for adhesive labels. Best regards!
