January 21, 2009

Tokyo metropolitan government recommended
“switch over to waterless” in their VOC countermeasure guide.

 The second largest VOC generator in Japan is the printing industry. In May 2006 the amended Air Pollution Control Law became effective, setting a 30% reduction targets on VOC emissions by 2010.

 Since last year factories and industrial facilities are obliged to make VOC measurements, and restrict their VOC emissions to a certain level. Along with this VOC restriction, the printers are imposed to restrict their waste liquids and wastewater, as a part of the water pollution prevention.In the past the VOC countermeasure was mainly carried out by working on ink, but recently the dampening water and washing solution is highlighted as the target of VOC reduction.

 Tokyo metropolitan government, who has been calling for the VOC measurement in addition to the VOC restriction, has started a new system named “VOC countermeasure advisory System”. Based on this system, an experienced adviser with specialist knowledge will visit a printing factory, and measure the VOC level free of charge. Two of our members, Bunshodo and Bunseikaku, used this system to measure the VOC level, and received a result that the VOC emission from waterless printing was only 25% compared to that from conventional wet litho. Based on this result, Tokyo metropolitan government recommended “switch over to waterless” in their VOC countermeasure guide.

(Presentation)VOC restruction by waterless printing ppt 234KB