Recycling of printed papers and usability in flexo printing packaging

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether 100% recycled papers can replace papers made from virgin fibers for the purpose of electrophotographic printing for packaging by evaluating the recycling potential of electrophotographically printed paper using the INGEDE and the washing deinking method. In the first part of the study, typical office copy paper, containing up to 30% recycled fiber, was printed electrophotographically. In the second part of the study, the deinked pulp was then used to prepare the handsheets for deinking evaluation, paper analysis and printability analysis. The print quality of the recycled papers was highly encouraging, as the results were comparable and, in some cases, identical to those of papers manufactured from virgin fibers.