AIMPLAS and ITC work to reduce the environmental impact of ceramic ink containers

AIMPLAS participates in the EcoFILLink project, coordinated by the Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC) and financed by the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE) through the European ERDF Regional Development Funds. The aim of the project is to reduce the environmental impact generated by inkjet ink packaging used for the digital decoration of ceramic tiles.

Currently, plastic packaging waste contaminated with inkjet inks amounts to 500t per year with a volume of 10,650 m3. Recycling these containers is a problem due to the complexity and dirt they release when in contact with water, as 5% of the inks remain adhered to their inner walls, which translates into losses of 3.6 million euros per year.

Eco-design in inkjet ink packaging

The EcoFILLink project aims to implement eco-design strategies in packaging and waste management, in line with the Circular Economy. To achieve this, various eco-design techniques will be implemented to make the packaging reusable at least five times. To this end, the packaging will be redesigned to improve the washing of its interior and internal functionalities will be incorporated to maximise its emptying from 5% to 2%. The project also foresees the recovery of inks and valuable materials present in the wash water for reincorporation into the ceramic materials, saving two million euros in inks.

And when the packaging can no longer be reused, the recycling treatment of contaminated plastics will be optimised by means of supercritical CO2 to reduce the impact of the recycling process and the waste generated.

Partner companies

These measures will be implemented collaboratively and jointly with actors along the entire value chain. Specifically, the participating companies are: Pamesa Cerámica, S.L.; Cottocer, S.L.; Compacglass, S.L.; Keramex, S.A.; TAU Porcelánico, S.L.; Colorobbia España, S.A.; Ravi iniciativas medioambientales, S.L.U.; Rolplas S.L.; Acteco productos y servicios, S.L.; ALCION PACKAGING SOLUTIONS; Plastire S.A.

ITC-AICE and AIMPLAS, are aware of the importance of redesigning a new plastic packaging for the storage and transport of inkjet inks, which minimizes the environmental impact by implementing various eco-design strategies in packaging and waste management aligned with the Circular Economy, so as to allow the maximum permanence of resources in the economy.

EcoFILLink aims to have a positive impact on the three axes of sustainable development: environmental, economic and social, and is aligned with the objectives set by the United Nations (UN) in the 2030 Agenda.

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