Nummer

028-EN

Abschnitt

General Section

Anwendung

Kurzfassung

Printing plates, which were fixed and developed based on a photographic film, were substituted with a technique called computer to plate - CTP. With this technique, the files are directly transferred from computer files to the aluminium printing plate in a closed system. The developer and fixer have been replaced by a finisher.

Substituierte Stoffe

Alternative Stoffe

Verlässlichkeit der Informationen

Beleg der Umsetzung: es ist belegt, dass die Lösung zur Zeit der Veröffentlichung umgesetzt und in Benutzung war

Grund für die Substitution

CMR
sensitizing

Andere Art von Alternative

Computer to plate - CTP. A technique where images are transferred directly to the printing plate from computer files in a closed system.

Gefahrstoffbeurteilung

Substance to be substituted: Old technique: UR-F1 PD Fixer is not classified as hazardous by the supplier according to the MSDS . QR-D1 PD developer Replenisher: Hydroquinone is: 1 A or 1B carcinogen (CLP Regulation), a sensitiser (H317, H334; CLP Regulation) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substance: New technique: FJ CF-V Finishing Sol RTU: 5-Chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, methylchloroisothiazolinone has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). The alternative was assessed against hazards in SUBSPORTS hazardous Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC) and passed. » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC)

Beschreibung der Substitution

A small printing house in Denmark in 2009 changed the work flow for printing plates production, which were fixed and developed based on a photographic film, to a technique called computer to plate - CTP. With the new CTP technique data are directly transferred from computer files to aluminium printing plates in a closed system. Therefore, developer and fixer have been replaced by a finisher. The reason for changing equipment to the CTP-technique was primarily economical. The old technique became more and more expensive due to salary for an operator, transport of chemical waste etc. The old chemicals (developer and fixer) are replaced by a finisher. Old technique: Fixer: UR-F1 PD Fixer, Fuji Film Developer: QR-D1 PD developer Replenisher, Fuji Film New technique: Finisher: FJ CF-V Finishing Sol RTU, Fuji Film With the new technique the plates are developed automatically. The only manual operation is cleaning the machinery and filling up the plates. The amount of chemicals used has been reduced significantly and thereby also the chemical waste. For now, the company is using 40 litres of finisher in 5 months. Due to recirculation water consumption has also been reduced remarkably. Moreover, previously the operator had problems with eczema on hands and arms. He no longer suffers from these health problems. There is no longer a need for ventilation during the developing phase and therefore the CTP technique also has reduced the consumption of electricity. The new equipment places the images more accurate on the printing plate as compared to the previously used process, and therefore less paper is used to adjust the printing machinery for each new printing job. Each time the printing plates are changed on the printing machine 10 minutes are saved as compared to the old technique. This advantage was not foreseen. The switch from the old to the new technique was performed without difficulties. The substitution has been implemented a few years ago, and the new technique is working completely satisfactorily. The owner of the company went to another printing plant that already used the CTP technique to see the process before implementing the technique himself. Advantages: Electricity and chemical consumptionas well as chemical and paper waste were reduced. Reduced need for man power to develop the printing plates. Disadvantages: The only disadvantage is that the neon lights for the CTP are very expensive, but this cost is more than counterbalanced by the reduction in salary for the operator, reduced costs in electricity, chemical use and in chemical and paper waste.

Bewertung des Falls/der Substitution

The new finisher has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Compared to the fixer used previously, the alternative is less harmful to human health. Therefore, in this case study, the substitution has succeeded, but could still be improved because of the remaining risks.

Stand der Umsetzung

Vollauslastung

Zeitpunkt und Ort der Umsetzung

February 2009 in Denmark

Weitere Informationen

MSDS for  UR-F1 PD Fixer MSDS for QR-D1 PD developer replenisher FJ CF-V Finishing SOL RTU

Information zur Quelle oder Publikation: Author, Firma, Institut, Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung

European Commission February 2002

Datum der Überprüfung

11. Dezember 2020