Special Reviews: Technical Trend of Press Room Chemicals

Environmental Regulations in Europe, USA and Japan, and Trends in Offset Printing Consumables in the Ecology-Focused Era

Abstract

Printers world-wide have used high VOC (volatile organic compound) products for years because of their high solvency, fast evaporation characteristics and the low cost. However, as VOC solvents have been shown to be harmful to human health, air quality and the environment in general, these negative attributes have resulted in increasingly restrictive regulations and out-right prohibition in many parts of the world. This paper explains the background of this regulatory movement, discusses the current environmental laws and regulations in Europe, USA and Japan, and describes the next generation of VOC replacement solvents. It also predicts some of the upcoming product trends in the ecology-focused future.