Bio-based ink is a type of
printing ink made from renewable biomass materials, designed to replace
traditional petroleum-based inks and reduce their negative environmental
impact. These inks are typically composed of plant oils, natural resins, and
non-toxic pigments, making them an important choice for sustainable and
eco-friendly printing.
Main Components of Bio-Based Ink
Bio-based ink mainly
consists of natural and renewable resources, including:
- Plant Oils
lSoybean Oil: A commonly used base for bio-based
inks, derived from soybeans, offering good printing performance.
lLinseed Oil: Another plant oil providing
excellent drying properties and gloss.
lPalm Oil: A renewable plant oil used to improve
ink flow and drying speed.
-
Resins
lNatural Resins: Such as rosin, enhancing ink
adhesion and durability.
- Pigments
lNatural Pigments: Selecting non-toxic and
natural pigments to provide rich color options while reducing environmental
impact.
Role of Bio-Based Ink in Environmental Issues
Bio-based ink offers
significant environmental advantages, particularly in the following areas:
Reduction in Carbon Footprint
The raw materials for
bio-based ink come from plants, which absorb carbon dioxide during their growth
through photosynthesis, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint. Compared
to traditional petroleum-based inks, bio-based inks emit fewer greenhouse gases
during production and use, helping to mitigate global warming.
Renewable Resources
Bio-based ink primarily
uses renewable plant oils, which can be continually replenished through
agricultural activities, offering greater sustainability compared to finite
petroleum resources.
Reduction in Harmful Emissions
Traditional inks often
contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released into the air
during printing and drying processes, posing risks to environmental and human
health. Bio-based inks contain fewer VOCs and either have very low levels or
none of the harmful substances, helping to improve air quality and protect
health.
Enhanced Recycling and Reuse
Products printed with
bio-based inks are easier to clean during the recycling process, which
increases the recycling rate of paper and other printed materials, thereby
reducing waste generation.
Promotion of Biodiversity
Growing raw materials for
bio-based inks (such as soybeans and flax) supports agricultural and biological
diversity, contributing to economic development and environmental protection in
rural areas.
Certification Standards for Bio-Based Ink
To ensure the
environmental benefits and sustainability of bio-based inks, the following
certification standards are widely used:
- ASTM D6866 Certification
This standard measures the percentage of
renewable carbon in materials and is widely used to verify the bio-based
content of products, ensuring they meet environmental sustainability standards.
- ISO 16620-2
Certification
This international standard uses radiocarbon
methods to determine the bio-based content of products, ensuring that the
carbon footprint and sustainability claims of the products are credible and
verified.
- BIOBASED Certification
The BIOBASED certification program assesses
and verifies the percentage of bio-based content in products, promoting the use
of renewable resources and providing reliable information about the
environmental impact of the products to consumers.
Conclusion
As an eco-friendly type of
ink, bio-based ink plays a crucial role in reducing carbon footprint, utilizing
renewable resources, lowering harmful emissions, enhancing recycling and reuse,
and promoting biodiversity. These certifications further validate the
environmental benefits and sustainability of bio-based inks, supporting their
adoption in various printing applications and helping achieve sustainability
and environmental protection goals.
