Environment Repeatable Printable Paper and Environmentally Friendly Printing Technology - Expansion of Related Technologies (around 2007)

Environment Repeatable Printable Paper and Environmentally Friendly Printing Technology - Expansion of Related Technologies (around 2007)

Around 2007, as the Kyoto Protocol commitment period (2008-2012) approached, all industries were urging technological innovation to save resources and reduce environmental impact. The printing and publishing fields were no exception, and environmental issues such as the massive consumption of paper resources, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) contained in ink, and waste liquid treatment derived from developing solutions were emerging. In this context, rewritable paper, waterless offset printing, and hybrid inks came into the limelight as representative technologies, and the related technologies supporting these technologies were also advancing at the same time.

First, the foundation of rewritable paper is "photo/thermally reactive dyes" and "photochromic materials. NEC, Fuji Xerox, and other Japanese companies have demonstrated the use of rewritable paper in combination with specialized printers in offices, proposing a recycling-oriented office environment.

Next, waterless offset printing was made possible by the development of waterless plates using a silicone rubber layer and UV-curable inks. By eliminating the need for conventional fountain solution, VOC emissions derived from isopropyl alcohol (IPA) were reduced, leading to an improved working environment at the printing site. Related technologies such as digital printing plates using CTP (Computer to Plate) and automation of the printing process also became more widespread, contributing to simultaneous improvements in resource efficiency and environmental performance.

In addition to the adoption of bio-based raw materials such as soybean oil ink, environmentally friendly inks have been formulated with improved formulations to facilitate recycling. In addition, hybrid UV ink dramatically improves drying speed and energy-saving effects. In many cases, the ink met the requirements for environmental labeling certification because of its low VOC volatilization after printing and the durability of the printed material.

In related fields, digital printing technology and on-demand printing are also highly compatible with environmental responsiveness. The system of printing only the required number of copies has made it possible to reduce inventory disposal and curb the use of paper and ink. In addition, soy-based glues and recyclable adhesives were introduced in the bookbinding process, accelerating the trend to consider environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle, from printing to disposal.

In short, rewritable paper and waterless printing were not just single technological innovations, but were the result of the development of a wide range of related technologies, including material chemistry, printing machinery engineering, and digital control technology. The printing industry around 2007 embraced environmental technology not as a "constraint" but as an "opportunity for innovation" in order to respond to both environmental regulations and market competition.