Substitution of Organic Solvents - a Way to improve Working Environment and reduce Emissions to the Atmosphere

Often there is a conflict between considerations regarding the working environment, and considerations regarding the environment, locally and globally, outside the company. When processes involving use of volatile, organic solvents are closely analyzed, it may in many cases be possible to change the process in order to omit the solvents or to use water-based products. In cases, where a change to water-based is not evident, improvements can be reached by using non-volatile, low-toxic products, typically esters of fatty acids from vegetable oils. In offset printing a drastic reduction of use of organic solvents as cleaning agents has been reached. However, some barriers to this substitution process, are found outside the printing companies. In designing of machines and auxiliary equipment, the manufacturers must take into account, that cleaning with non-volatile agents should be possible. Even a rather simple subtitution may be difficult to implement. A company trying to change technology, may have to involve parties outside the company, such as producers, suppliers, authorities, and consultants.