Safe, cost-effective & efficient solvent for offset printing fountain solutions and blanket cleaners

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Type of Solution sought

A global supplier has developed a safe and eco-friendly, IPA-free solution designed to significantly enhance the performance and safety of both fountain solutions and blanket cleaners in offset printing processes. This water-soluble technology offers key benefits, including automatic concentration control, improved solubility for better surface tension, safer solvent alternatives, superior cleaning of UV ink, faster drying times, and reduced wear on equipment, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and reliability in printing operations.

Who might be interested?
The supplier is interested in connecting with companies engaged in offset printing applications that may value improved performance characteristics and safer, IPA-free alternatives.

Description of Desired Solution

Detailed Solution Description

Benefits of IPA-free fountain solution

In offset printing, the fountain solution is a liquid designed to keep the non-image areas of the printing plate clean and ink-free. It typically contains water, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and often propylene glycol n-butyl ether (PnB) to lower the surface tension of the liquid, enhancing its wetting properties on the plate surface. Other solvents such as Butyl glycol (BG; 2-Butoxyethan-1-ol) are used for achieving IPA-free, but there are safety concern.

Here is what you can achieve with this safe, eco-friendly, and fully water-soluble alternative:

Environment friendly solution

Safe alternative to IPA that is regulated for its harmful effects on human health and air quality.
The solvent facilitates the formation of a highly concentrated etch solution:
- Stabilized etch solution
- Reduced cost and GHG emission in transportation & storage
No Flash Point of Fountain solution vs IPA whose flash point at just 5% concentration poses a fire risk during printing.
Mild odor.

Cost savings

Reduce costs not only by lowering IPA dosage but also by lowering other conventional solvents because of the high solubility of PnB (example of system cost reduction available on demand).

Automatic concentration control

Traditional fountain solutions require frequent adjustments as IPA evaporates faster than water. This material evaporates with water, eliminating manual control and increasing efficiency.

Test: Solvent (5%) with water charged in a petri dish (7 cm in diameter). Weight and concentration measured at at 22-24°C and 52-67 RH%.

Enhanced solubilization for improved surface tension:

This material enhances the solubility of PnB (PnB has low dynamic surface tension but has poor water solubility).

Excellent performance for blanket cleaner

Additional benefits have been identified for blanket cleaners in offset printing as well, highlighting unique advantages like superior cleaning performance and enhanced printing efficiency.

Superior cleaning advantages

Hydrocarbon solvents are commonly used in blanket cleaners, but they often struggle to effectively remove UV ink. This innovative material enhances the solubility of UV ink when combined with hydrocarbon solvents, resulting in a more thorough cleaning process.

Test:

Red UV ink is coated on an offset rubber blanket that is already layered with blue UV ink.
The blanket is then cleaned with a wipe impregnated with solvents.

Faster drying & improved printing efficiency

The improved formulation also contributes to faster drying times, which increases printing efficiency and reduces downtime during operations.

Test: Solvent solution (5.0g) in a petri dish (9cmφ) | Evaporation done at 22-24°C, 50-70RH% | Weight loss measured

Reduced wear and tear on equipment

The innovative material minimizes the risk of damage to the blanket rubber, extending its lifespan and ensuring more consistent performance over time.

Test: Blanket (EPDM) soaked in 30/70% New solution/Isopar L and in 100% Isopar L | Swelling after immersion observed