DPDA welcomes deinkablility demonstrations

At the symposium, Alexander Schiller of Fogra Graphic Technology Research Organisation shared the results of a major study using four manufacturers of inkjet inks and nine papers tested for deinkability according to Ingede Method 11/ERPC Scorecard. The results were positive as all but one ink/paper combination passed this test and 90% of the deinking scores ranged from 72 – 100 and therefore were classified as having ‘good deinkability’.

David Croll, product line manager ink and substrates with Océ Printing Systems, presented the results of a study which concluded that paper choice is critical for successful deinking of water-based inkjet inks. With pigment-based inkjet inks, several papers that contain a water soluble calcium salt were successfully deinked according to Method 11. For uncoated wood-free inkjet treated papers, calcium is a standard chemical component used for improved print quality. Calcium salt is also used in some coated wood-free papers. Croll’s research confirmed the functional benefits for deinking that calcium provides for inkjet inks. “The paper industry has long used calcium salts to enhance image quality, we now have a direct correlation for good deinkability of these papers with pigment-based inkjet inks,” said Croll.

This view was echoed in research presented by Nils Miller, environmental research scientist, HP. “About five or six years ago, concerns were first raised about potential deinkability issues with inkjet prints. Since then, we have seen significant improvement in ink and paper deinkability. In a time of change when the paper and printing industries face a number of challenges, it is important that both industries devote resources to assessing and, where necessary, improving inherent deinkability. This study reinforces the idea that commercially viable papers can have good deinkability with modern inkjet inks.”

The DPDA is an industry association whose members include HP, Kodak, Océ and Ricoh.