Continuous Processing of Polymer Dispersions for Ink Production

Water-based ink is an eco-friendly ink type that stands out from traditional inks because it uses non-toxic solvents to disperse pigments and other components. It offers several advantages in the field of printing technology, with one of the most important being its versatility. Water-based inks adhere well to different surfaces, providing resistance against fading, scratches, and water damage. This makes them a preferred choice for high-volume printing and other applications where both quality and sustainability matter. The market for digital printing based on these inks is presently experiencing growth and is anticipated to continue this trend until 2030. Canon Production Printing has its own master plant that specializes in producing water-based inks for industrial printers and aims to increase its capacity to meet the growing demand for this sustainable process.
The manufacturing process of ink comprises processing steps, one of which necessitates that the base material of ink, known as the dispersion, is subjected to a series of treatments to meet the desired quality standards. Within this phase, the initial step involves the purification of the dispersion, ensuring the removal of any impurities. Following purification, the concentration of dispersion is meticulously adjusted to align with the specific requirements of the ink formulations, ensuring the attainment of the target quality. This project aimed to increase the overall production capacity by transitioning the processing steps from a batch system to a continuous process. The main goal was to develop multi-stage processes that provide stable operations, meet the desired final specifications, and guarantee consistent product quality.
At the end of the project, the successful establishment of a continuous operation setup and the creation of a mathematical model that accurately reflects the continuous processes were achieved. This process design significantly enhanced Canon's ink production capacity, offering straightforward and economically viable scalability for future expansions.