Fujifilm reduces carbon footprint of its analogue inks with innovative cleaning technology

Ink Solutions Green Solutions

The Fujifilm Specialty Ink Systems (FSIS) factory in Broadstairs manufactures high performance inks for a range of markets, including Uvijet wide format UV inkjet inks, and Sericol screen and flexo inks.

The factory has implemented several sustainability initiatives over the last ten years and in the summer of 2022, it became the first ever company to trial the new to market Ambimization fluids and Proteus pot wash machine from Terrafend.

Terrafend’s patented Ambimization technology combines chemical and mechanical engineering to provide a revolutionary approach to cleaning. The water based fluids are non flammable, non carcinogenic and non toxic. They work at ambient temperatures and can be used repeatedly before reaching end of life, thus reducing workplace risk, energy consumption, and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Last year, Fujifilm onboarded Ambimization technology in its analogue ink department in Broadstairs to clean its UV, water based and solvent based ink pots. The use of Ambimization, in turn enabled the company to implement the Proteus pot wash machine. These new innovations replaced legacy cleaning equipment that used chemical solvents.

The Proteus machine cleans pots with a water based Ambimization fluid in a time efficient manner, facilitating cost and energy savings, as well as reducing the use of VOCs and creating a safer working environment. It is a green alternative that aligns with Fujifilm’s sustainability commitments.

The company’s old pot cleaning process involved solvents being sprayed on the walls of the mixing vessels at pressures in excess of 70 bars, thereby removing traces of the ink and decontaminating the surfaces of the pots. This method used around 72,000 litres of chemical based solvent and generated around 22,000 litres of waste per year.

After the cleaning process, the used solvent, saturated with ink, was pumped into a 24,000 litre storage tank at the Broadstairs site. When full, the tank was drained by a specialist contractor and the solvent waste was removed from the site, via road tanker, to a chemical re-processor. At the re-processor, the waste was separated through distillation, enabling 75% of the solvent to be returned to Fujifilm and used again. A limitation of this method was its inefficiency, with 25% of the material being lost in the recycling process.

In stark contrast, the new Proteus machine and water based fluids, generate minimal chemical waste and VOCs. With Ambimization, Fujifilm has managed to reduce solvent waste output at its Broadstairs site. This is not only better for the environment, but safer and more pleasant for the on-site team who handle the ink pots before and after cleaning. The comapny has reduced its VOC emissions by 91% since switching to the Proteus and Ambimization process.

An additional safety benefit of Ambimization is that it eliminates fire risk – and this is further facilitated by the Proteus machine. With the traditional cleaning method, the solvent formed fine aerosol particles during each cleaning event, because of the high pressure deployed. This created an explosive (ATEX) atmosphere. Although ATEX equipment was installed and steps were taken by staff to reduce this fire risk, the risk still posed a threat.

Moving forward with the Proteus machine, Fujifilm will be able to remove all ATEX rated equipment and save on time that would otherwise have been spent on ATEX health and safety measures within the pot wash area. The Proteus machine is also expected to reduce energy use by 110,000 kWh per year, making it a hugely worthwhile investment.

Gary Burgess, manufacturing and CI manager at Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems, commented: ‘We are thrilled to be the first company in the world to have trialled an Ambimization Proteus machine, installed at our Broadstairs ink manufacturing site. Although the digital ink market continues to grow, screen and flexo inks are still used for a number of printing applications. We have taken a step to reduce waste and energy when it comes to cleaning our ink pots. During the process, we have also reduced VOC emissions and eliminated the site’s largest risk.’

Emily Cassius, head of business development at Terrafend, added: ‘This cleaning technology has huge potential to help leading brands – like Fujifilm – to operate more efficiently while reducing risk, waste and carbon footprints. We are pleased to have helped the company boost its sustainability credentials and look forward to a continued partnership.’