HP claims Indigo recycling breakthrough

HP is declaring an environmental breakthrough after tests show its Indigo prints are now fully recyclable, and says they can be placed in normal recycling bins.

In consultation with industry and academic de-inking experts, HP underwent lab-scale, pilot-scale and mill-scale trials and found Indigo prints could be de-inked  – removing ink from paper fibres –  using standard graphic art papers de-inking mill procedures.

Voith Paper, a German de-inking equipment supplier, carried out the two pilot-scale trials with German technical institute PMV Darmstadt in June 2013. The results just out show that the trials conclusively found that even with 10 per cent Indigo feed, the pulp produced met requirements for standard and high-quality graphic arts recycled paper grades.

Phillip Rennell, sales and marketing director of HP Indigo supplier Currie Group, says HP wanted to put Indigo’s green credentials beyond all doubt.

“It’s the next phase for HP in the evolving world of recycling as they continue to push boundaries,” he says. “Customers can now print and recycle using it with confidence.”

“Better recycling creates an environment where higher quality paper can be used more in the future.”

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The results complement two previous full-scale mill de-inking trials in November 2011 and October 2012, at the Arjowiggins Graphic 3-loop Greenfield de-inking mill, in France. In these trials, five per cent HP Indigo liquid electrophotographic prints were added to the mill. In both cases, high-quality de-inked pulp was produced without affecting mill process efficiencies or operating parameters.

HP is also introducing fully recyclable ink cartridge packaging for the Indigo 6000 and 7000 series.

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