Nicoat

Air Quality

This is the first in a series of Tech Notes about volatile emissions and what printers can do to comply with regulations while maintaining high quality operations.

VOC Definition

VOCs are volatile organic compounds - organic (carbon-based) compounds that are volatile (evaporates easily).

VOCs Importance

VOCs lead to the formation of ozone and smog. Because of the health and environmental hazards, most printers are required by law to track and control VOC emissions.

VOCs in Printing Operations

VOCs are found in inks, fountain solutions, press washes, press varnishes, solvents and aqueous coatings.

Aqueous Coating VOC Content

Typically, aqueous coatings contain less than 5% solvent. Some are as low as 1-2% solvent.

Emission Reduction

Examine print processes for ways to reduce solvent use without sacrificing quality. Implement simple solutions with broad application.

Switching to aqueous coating is simple, and aqueous coatings can be used for most jobs to reduce VOCs.

Reduce VOCs & Maintain Quality

It's a balancing act. The law sets standards for annual VOC emissions. By looking at the entire process for each job, you will find ways to save on VOCs in one area so that you can "spend" them in another.

Some low-VOC products, such as aqueous coatings, perform better than their traditional counterparts, such as press varnish. You may find that by switching to aqueous coatings, quality actually improves while VOC use goes down.

Reduction Tips

• Use products that meet performance criteria and have the lowest VOC content;
• Manage solvent use throughout the year. By using low-VOC products regularly, you can accommodate the jobs that require high-VOC products;
• Re-evaluate coatings. Making the simple switch to aqueous coatings significantly reduces annual VOC emissions;
• Use custom aqueous coating formulations. Ask your Nicoat professional for a custom coating that will meet all of your performance goals;
• Use lower VOC links, then add aqueous coating for gloss, satin and/or functionally protective coatings;
• Use alcohol-free fountain solutions.

Best Step to Reduce Emissions

Make aqueous coatings your standard coating. Aqueous coatings contain significantly less solvent that standard press varnishes. And, they don't require solvent-based cleaning solutions. Because aqueous coatings perform better than varnishes, you will see better results and reduce VOCs.

Nicoat Helping Printers Comply

Nicoat is continually formulating coatings with minimal VOCs. We encourage our suppliers and our own research and development team to push the boundaries to create coatings with the best performance at the lowest possible VOC content.