Number
443-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, electrical equipment
Function
Solvent
Process
Manual maintenance(cleaning and repair) of machinery
Other
Product category
Ink and toner
Application
Solvent in toner ink, thinner and for cleaning purposes
Abstract
Electronics producer marked cables with toluene- and butanone-containing printing ink and used butanone-containing solvents related to the use of the printing ink. Both substances are VOCs and classified as hazardous. The company wanted to find a safer alternative without VOCs and without (or with less) health and environmental hazards. It now operates a new printing device which uses polymer-based thermal transfer technology.
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
CMR
other toxic effects
Hazard Assessment
Substances to be substituted:
Toluene and butanone are volatile organic chemicals and have both hazardous properties. According to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) toluene has a harmonised classification as toxic for reproduction (Repr. 2, H361d) and as toxic if entering airways or being swallowed (Asp. Tox. 1, H304).
Both solvents have limit values for the workplace according to the Chemical Agents Directive (98/24/EC).
Alternative substance:
PET has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). There is no entry in the SUBSPORTplus database.
Description of Substitution
a) Motivation to apply the alternative: The company wanted to find a safer alternative without VOCs and without (or with less) health and environmental hazards. Thermal transfer technology?s use of polymers enabled to phase out the VOCs.
b) Description of procedure or technology (including pre-/post-processing):
The new printer system uses a thermal transfer technology: a receptor foil on the cable is printed from a (white) thermal transfer ribbon, which transfers the marking onto the foil. The transfer ribbon consists of several polymers and titanium dioxide, while the receptor foil consists of PET. The polymers are not classified. In the new printer system solvents are no longer needed.
c) Means of application: thermal transfer; automatised printing process
d) Risk management measures (technical, organizational and personal): not needed
e) Advantage or Disadvantage of alternative:
Special technical protection measures are no longer needed to protect workers.
Implementation cost of the new printing system was 16.000 EUR. Overall personal costs were reduced.
Case/substitution evaluation
The alternative technology replaces the use of hazardous chemicals (VOCs) and increases workplace and environmental safety.
State of implementation
Full capacity
Availability ofAlternative
The printing system that uses thermal transfer technology is available on the market.
Producer/Provider
Löpfe AG, Thermal Transfer printer TTP4000; https://www.schleuniger.com/en/products/peripherals/marking-/-printing-/-labeling/ttp-4000/
Type of information supplier
User
Contact
Information source: EU-project LIFE Fit for REACH; https://www.fitreach.eu/
Further information
Picture of new printing system that uses thermal transfer technology.
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
EU-project LIFE Fit for REACH; https://www.fitreach.eu/
Date, reviewed
March 1, 2013