Reducing solvent emissions in paper packaging: a look at the PUSTERLA 1880 project

Case Study of a solvent abatement plant with titanium dioxide photocatalytic filters installed at a cartographic industry of European significance.

October 3, 2023

Titanium dioxide photocatalytic filtration: PUSTERLA 1880’s choice for solvent abatement.

PUSTERLA 1880, a global leader in luxury packaging, places sustainability at the heart of its production processes, as evidenced by its numerous certifications and ethical commitment.

Printing for the luxury packaging sector requires refined finishes that involve the use of special inks and products. These production processes generate emissions with high concentrations of solvents, requiring careful treatment before release into the atmosphere.

The company faced the challenge of reducing solvent and VOC emissions from its printing plants, in line with increasingly stringent regulations and its own commitment to environmental protection.

PUSTERLA 1880 carefully evaluated various solutions, seeking a system that guaranteed:

Effectiveness and Consistency: Consistent reduction of VOCs within the established limits over time.
Simple Maintenance: Scheduled and minimal maintenance, with no dust or dirt emissions.
Compact Design: Optimized use of factory space.

After a careful comparative analysis of various solutions, PUSTERLA 1880 chose a titanium dioxide photocatalytic filtration system developed by Depurex.

The Power of Photocatalytic Filtration: Functionality and Benefits

This technology harnesses the combined action of ultraviolet light and titanium dioxide to break down VOC molecules into harmless compounds like carbon dioxide and water.

High Efficiency: Eliminates a wide range of VOCs, even at low concentrations.

Selectivity: Targets only VOCs, leaving other gases in the air unaffected.

Environmental Friendliness: Uses no hazardous chemicals and produces no harmful byproducts.

Low Maintenance: Titanium dioxide filters are robust and require minimal maintenance.

Efficiency in Solvent Removal

Following six months of intensive testing that confirmed its effectiveness, the Depurex system has been permanently adopted by PUSTERLA 1880.

With an average of 12 operating hours per day, the system functioned for 11 years until the decommissioning of the printing line, providing consistent VOC reduction and completely meeting the end-user's specifications.

Filter replacement took place on a six-month cycle.

Final Thoughts

The PUSTERLA 1880 case study confirms that photocatalytic filtration using titanium dioxide as a state-of-the-art, effective, and sustainable technology for the removal of solvents and VOCs in the packaging and printing industries. Its adoption has reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact, resulting in tangible benefits for public health and air quality.

For an in-depth technical analysis of this technology, we recommend consulting the Master's thesis 'Photocatalytic abatement of volatile organic compounds' by Michele Coppa, M.Eng. (Polytechnic University of Turin – Chemical and Materials Engineering).

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