By Cassandra Balentine
Part 2 of 3
Sustainability and environmental safety is becoming increasingly part of the conversation when purchasing equipment for corrugated printing. “UV LED curing technology is beneficial for two reasons. It reduces energy consumption considerably as compared to older systems, reducing the overall carbon footprint. It also does not create ozone unlike metal halide lamps,” explains Hugo Gonzalez, senior management specialist, Mimaki USA, Inc.
Digital printing also reduces waste through a few methods, first, the need for die patterns is eliminated. “Inking up” and ink clean ups are significantly less wasteful than other methods by eliminating the need for ink changes and plates for printing, which are particularly wasteful for short-runs, adds Gonzalez.
Within the Mimaki workflow, its full line of UV LED inks have the added benefit of being GREENGUARD Certified, since they do not release any harmful volatile organic compounds.
Patrick Donigain, senior manager, large format printing solutions, Canon U.S.A., Inc. confirms that UV LED curing significantly reduces energy consumption compared to mercury vapor bulbs. UV printing facilitates just-in-time manufacturing, minimizing waste from obsolete inventory.
“Additionally, non-evaporative inks like Canon’s UVgel use less volume to reach target densities and eliminate the need for flash-off dryers. These low-emission formulations often hold prestigious third party certifications, such as UL GREENGUARD Gold,” notes Donigain.
Sustainability is focal point in all aspects of modern UV printing. “LED lamps consume far less electricity than their mercury and microwave-based counterparts, while also generating less heat. Inks formulated for UV also emit no VOCs and many are non-toxic and food-safe. These features are beneficial to the environment, end users, and manufacturers, both in terms of workplace safety and the bottom line,” says Tad Bozdech, product manager, Excelitas.
According to James Stanley, CPP, RPbD, business development manager packaging, Mutoh America, Inc., UV inks are evolving as are printheads and lamps. While the ink is dangerous in its liquid form, the cured form is non-toxic and harmless if ingested in small amounts. “As far as energy consumption the evolving technologies will allow for greater efficiencies and better delivery methods making digital a sustainable solution.”
LED cured UV printing consumes comparatively less energy versus the heat and air movement needed to dry water-based inks. “So, while water-based inks are viewed as more sustainable due to chemical compensation, they consume a great deal more energy during the printing process,” notes Ted Pierpont, national sales manager, larger format/textile/corrugated, Durst Image Technology US.
Pierpont also notes that the chemical components of UV inks have improved greatly and this is reflected in the fact UV inks are all GREENGUARD certified—meeting the stringent standard for chemical emissions for building materials, finishes, and furnishings.
“UV digital printing supports sustainability in several ways, including reduced setup waste, lower makeready requirements, and the ability to print only what is needed,” says Mark Crawford, product and business development manager, Vanguard.
From an ink standpoint, Crawford points out that UV inks cure instantly and do not rely on solvent evaporation. That helps reduce emissions and allows printed material to move immediately into finishing or shipping. Digital printing can also reduce excess inventory and obsolete packaging, which is a major sustainability benefit for brands and converters.
Sep2026, Industrial Print Magazine
