Asahi Kasei Flexographic Printing Technology Helps Industry Reduce Carbon Emissions

On November 7, Asahi Kasei held a flexographic printing seminar at the 8th China International Import Expo. Experts in attendance unanimously agreed that flexographic printing is an effective way to help reduce carbon emissions in the industry. Data from Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication's research report "Study on Carbon Emissions in the Flexographic Printing Industry" shows that water-based flexographic printing can reduce carbon emissions by more than 30% compared to traditional solvent-based gravure printing.

The image shows the signing ceremony.

It is reported that the platemaking processes for flexographic printing plates are mainly divided into three types: solvent-based, thermal, and water-washable, among which the water-washable process has the lowest CO? emissions. Asahi Kasei's developed water-washable flexo plate AWP emits no VOCs during platemaking and, in practical applications, can be used together with water-based inks, significantly reducing both VOCs and CO? emissions. Additionally, the CleanPrint technology applied in the plate helps prevent ink clogging and improves printing efficiency.

Professor Mo Lixin, Deputy Dean of the School of Printing and Packaging Engineering at Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, released the latest interim findings of the "Research on Carbon Footprint of Flexible Packaging Printing Products in China," based on a survey of carbon footprints across 12 products from nine companies. He explained that current data indicate products printed using flexography generate significantly lower carbon emissions during the three core stages—printing, post-processing, and waste treatment—compared to gravure-printed products, and are comparable to offset-printed products. Therefore, flexographic printing offers greater emission reduction potential.

Akira Kato, General Manager of the Photosensitive Materials Business Division at Asahi Kasei Corporation, introduced two newly developed in-house flexographic printing products: the fully water-washable plate AWP?-REVO and the wastewater recovery system AWP-LOOP? Petite. The AWP?-REVO plate requires only tap water for development, eliminating the need for solvents and detergents and minimizing environmental impact. The wastewater recovery system enables reuse of approximately 90% of the wash solution, further reducing resource waste.

At the event, Asahi Kasei jointly launched the "Flexible Printing Project for Pharmaceutical Composite Films" with Shenzhen Jiuxing Printing & Packaging Group. Assistant General Manager Zeng Haiming of Jiuxing Printing & Packaging Group stated: "This collaboration aims to promote the transition from gravure to flexographic printing. Our initial goal is to reduce the use of gravure printing, and we will later consider converting some offset printing to flexographic as well. Currently, the trend toward replacing gravure with flexography in the packaging industry is growing stronger, which will also influence other brands and help achieve the 'dual carbon' goals."