THE STATUS OF WORLD POLLUTION
The European Environment Agency confirms that air pollution is one of the most problematic issues of our day, which requires changes in terms of management and mitigation of harmful pollutants. Reducing the harmful substances present in the air has now become an imperative: pollution, in fact, has important negative effects on health, the ecosystem and the earth’s climate.
European environment and climate policies have contributed to improving the atmosphere in recent decades, but Europe’s progress has not been sufficient to bring pollution below the alarm threshold and the environmental perspectives for the coming years are not looking good.
HOW ARE EUROPEAN COMPANIES REACTING TO THE POLLUTION PHENOMENON?
If on one hand the pollution is more and more intensifying, on the other hand many industries are reviewing their investments to bring their production back under the term “green”.
Greater awareness of their responsibility, greater commitment to the environment, but above all the availability of new technologies allow companies to increase investments for more and more ecological production.
POLLUTION AND CERAMIC DISTRICT
The ceramic district, historically located between the cities of Sassuolo and Casalgrande, represents one of the most important industrial centers of Emilia-Romagna. Thousands of people works in the large number of ceramic tile companies of this area, or in the complementary service companies linked to the production of porcelain stoneware.
If from one side the economic importance of a highly industrialized pole is crucial, on the other hand the air quality is affected by the emissions produced by large factories.
One of the most delicate ceramic processing stages for air pollution is the firing process. The ceramic surface is composed of inks containing solvents which, during combustion, become the basis for polluting and odorous emissions.
LOW EMISSION SERIES: A CONCRETE ANSWER TO THE HARMFUL EMISSIONS IN THE CERAMIC SECTOR
In this respect, Sicer aims to provide all ceramic tile companies with the possibility of doing something concrete in favor of the environment, by contributing to the reduction of harmful volatile substances released into the atmosphere during the firing process.
The Digital R&D team, one of the most vital and innovative research laboratories of the company, has set an ambitious goal: to reduce the environmental impact while maintaining the quality standard of the products. The result is the innovative PATENTED .LE LOW EMISSION series.
The .LE series consists of digital inks, effects and glues. A complete range of environmentally friendly products, featuring no-smelling component and a significant reduction in harmful emissions compared to the best eco-inks available in the market today.
The analysis started from the comparison between solvent-based and water-based inks, examining COT emissions, odorimetric units and aldehyde formation caused by both of inks.
After careful evaluations, it turned out that the water-based inks, despite the low emissions, feature many problems in the management of the digital machines. For this reason, Sicer has directed its “low emission” research on solvent-based inks.
By studying and testing different types of solvents and different mix, Sicer has managed to achieve a very low-impact solvent base. All products of .LE LOW EMISSIONS series come from this base.
The picture here below shows the comparison of the evaporation temperatures of different types of inks, during the firing process in the ceramic kiln, with focus on the preheating area.
The new solvent-based .LE LOW EMISSION series, compared to the best ester-based inks in the market today, guarantees significant results.
All data have been collected by Certifying Organization which analyzed the emissions produced during the ceramic production cycle in a ceramic tiles plant.
The outstanding results are as follows:
● 70% OF ODORIMETRIC UNITS
● 60% OF FORMALDEHYDE
● 50% OF ALDEHYDES
● 50% OF SOV – volatile organic solvents
● 20% OF COT – total organic carbon
● 10% OF INK CONSUMPTION
LOW EMISSION INKS
The range of .LE LOW EMISSION inks is composed of “primary” colors from which it is possible to obtain all the types of inks required by the customer. Starting from the .LE concentrated base it is possible to customize each color, creating the ink tone usually used by the customer.
LOW EMISSION DIGITAL GLUES
To offer an even more complete range, the Digital R&D department has included two digital glues with unique characteristics in the LOW EMISSION range.
The digital glue SCE1990LE for high temperatures (floor) and SCD1995LE glue for low temperatures (wall).
These innovative products guarantee an excellent production stability, long drying times, maximum graphic details, extreme smooth texture on full field surface, very low emissions and not detected odorimetric units.
WHY CHOOSE THE LOW EMISSION SERIES?
Buying the products of the LOW EMISSION series means making a conscious choice towards our planet. It means reducing the harmful substances released into the atmosphere and leaving a better future for the next generations.
The entire patented range of .LE products has been approved and certified by the best manufacturers of digital machines and the quality standard is absolutely unchanged compared to traditional inks.
No more excuses for not acting now!
Are you interested in our patented LOW EMISSION range? We are at your total disposal for any further question: contact us!
