Solvent Recovery Systems for Gravure Printing Presses and its Environmental Impact: A Review

Description

Pankaj Kumar¹, Sonia², and Manoj Kaushik³ (Department of Printing Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hissar, Haryana¹, Department of Printing Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana², and Chief Operating Officer, GLS Films Industries Ltd., Pataudi Road, Bhora Kalan, Bilaspur, Gurugram, Haryana³)

The gravure printing industry faces increasing pressure to address volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions while maintaining operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Solvent recovery systems have emerged as a critical technology for achieving environmental compliance, reducing operational costs, and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices in gravure printing operations. This analysis reveals that activated carbon adsorption systems achieve 90 – 99% recovery efficiency with payback periods of 2 – 4 years, two major processes are thermal oxidation systems and emission reduction efficiency, recovering solvents, upto 95 – 99%. The implementation of these systems can reduce solvent purchasing costs by up to 95% and disposal costs by 80 – 90%, making them economically attractive despite significant initial capital investments.