Flexographic printing presses are often equipped with an automatic cleaning system. For each printing press cleaning cycle, the cleaning system requires a certain amount of clean solvent. The need for cleaning solvents increases according to the number of color and different printing jobs. The operator is then necessarily required to consider cost-effective and efficient means to supply these solvents.

An expedient recycling concept for contaminated solvents will be presented, consisting of the ASC-150 solvent recovery unit, combined with solvent storage tanks, initially introduced at stand 9A78 in exhibition hall 9 at Düsseldorf.

The ASC-150 has been successfully used for several years in packaging printing and continuously produces ethanol / ethyl acetate. The solvent recovery unit is supplied directly by the flexographic printing press. Two high-grade stainless steel 1000-litre tanks of approved design buffer the contaminated and recycled solvent mixture. Powered by an integrated, high-performance steam heating system, the ASC-150 is able to distill 200-400 litres of printing solvent per 8-hr shift. The entire recycling process is electronically monitored and provides for reliable operation with the flexographic printing presses. An optional nitrocellulose safety package is available for printing inks containing nitrocellulose. This provides for safe distillation of nitrocellulose-contaminated solvents.

OFRU Recycling GmbH & Co, Co. KG manufacturers machines for recycling of flammable or aqueous solvents. The company was founded 1978 and is now a world wide leading position. The products, ex-proof distillation plants are used where by washing processes occasional or large waste solvent volumes occur. With own solvent treatment/recycling a company is able to reduce its purchase and disposal costs and support the protection of environment.