Original scientific paper
A systematic method for identifying energy-efficient and sustainable solutions in the Flexographic printing process
Anson Babu
; University of Palermo, Department of Engineering, Palermo, Italy
Antonio Piacentino
; University of Palermo, Department of Engineering, Palermo, Italy
Alessandro Bicego
; Uteco Converting S.p.A., Product Innovation Department, Verona, Italy
Livan Fratini
; University of Palermo, Department of Engineering, Palermo, Italy
Valerio Lo Brano
; University of Palermo, Department of Engineering, Palermo, Italy
Giuseppe Ingarao
; University of Palermo, Department of Engineering, Palermo, Italy
Diego Zorzi
; Uteco Converting S.p.A., Product Innovation Department, Verona, Italy
Abstract
The growing demand for printing on packaging products from end-users increases energy demand, raw materials consumption, and direct emissions in the flexible packaging print and conversion industries. Innovative and energy efficient solutions must be implemented in the flexographic printing process for long-term energy savings and reducing the environmental impact. However, the existing studies on flexographic printing processes in industries lack a detailed, in-depth analysis of the energy, material, and emissions study at a process sub-unit level. Moreover, a systematic method is needed to investigate the influence of process parameters, waste heat potential, and auxiliary units in the flexographic printing processes to explore future research possibilities. Therefore, a Life cycle-oriented in-depth approach is presented for the use phase of flexographic printing machine at a process sub-unit level. A detailed measurement test plan is presented to identify the unknown flows through the machine for in-depth Life cycle analysis. The paper concludes with possible recommendations for energy savings and sustainability solutions for flexographic processes in the future.
Keywords
Energy efficiency, sustainability, flexographic printing, life cycle analysis, waste heat recovery.
Hrčak ID:
331737
URI
Publication date:
30.4.2025.
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