by Melissa Donovan
In the U.S., consumables like ink and media are key focuses of sustainability initiatives. From an inks perspective, reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and improving recyclability and reusability of printed products are top priorities.
Above: Domino has taken steps to make its ink development processes more sustainable, eliminating the use of helium gas, and has recently been awarded My Green Lab certification.
Addressing Demand
Vendors take a distinct approach to sustainability demands by working independently and in response to global as well as governmental concerns.
For example, Domino Printing Sciences’ ink development team continually works towards sustainability priorities, particularly by reducing VOC emissions, as well as by investigating ink performance when printing on new bio-based and mono materials.
For corrugated printing, Domino uses aqueous inks with very low VOC emissions. For continuous inkjet, it is transitioning from harsh, conventional to renewable, sustainable solvent. Its portfolio also includes food-safe, plant oil-based inks for coding and marking.
“We removed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or man-made chemicals from ink formulations and are eliminating or minimizing persistent organic pollutants, creating safer, more environmentally responsible inks,” notes Natasha Jeremic, head of piezo inks, Domino.
Kodak made significant progress in sustainability by developing water-based inks free from substances of concern, including PFAS, and eliminating heavy metals. This results in lower material waste and improved recyclability of printed products.
“Sustainability today requires traceability and proactive compliance. Kodak R&D teams continuously evaluate raw materials against evolving chemical regulations and global best practices to maintain high quality and standards for products,” shares Panayiotis Michaelides, HSE product stewardship and sustainability specialist, Kodak.
Ink recirculation processes also play a role in sustainability. Kodak continuous inkjet technology includes the recirculation of inks that flow from the printhead, with some ink drops directed to the substrate and the rest of the ink drops captured and recirculated back to the ink tank for use. “This process enables the efficient use of inks in the delivery to the substrate, with no waste, helping the print uptime system through consistent jetting performance and print quality. By keeping ink circulating, the system helps minimize nozzle blockages, supports cleaner operation, and contributes to the overall sustainability of the printing process,” explains Michaelides.
Komori aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This goal encompasses all of its products and services. “We recognize that addressing environmental issues is a challenge common to all humankind and an essential requirement for the continued existence of a company in society. Therefore, we proactively address these issues,” notes Lance Martin, VP product marketing, Komori America.
Memjet focuses on performance as well as responsible lifecycle outcomes. Its water-based ink portfolio supports low-VOC operation and safer pressroom environments compared with traditional solvent or UV-curable systems.
Of course, Dr. Alison Chong, chemistry and materials department manager, Memjet, points out that emissions are only one dimension of sustainability. “We approach ink development through a lifecycle lens, with recyclability and circularity considered early in the formulation process. Memjet deliberately avoids the use of substances that may be of concern to recycling operators or state and local regulators. In our view, sustainable printing is achieved when chemistry, hardware, and workflow operate as a unified, optimized system.”
RISO Inc. originally offered a soy-based ink for inkjet printing, but when soy became a high-demand crop, it started to produce an oil-based pigment ink. In the digital duplicator space, its ink uses rice bran—which is a material that would otherwise be discarded as a byproduct. The result, RISO is able to provide an inexpensive, archival-quality ink.
“RISO’s inks are constantly improved at our facilities in Japan, and with each successive model of printer, we include those advancements. Every few years, we expand the color gamut of our inks,” states Jesse Heindl, marketing manager, RISO Inc.
More on Ink
Each type of ink offers its own level of sustainability and presents benefits as well as challenges.
Aqueous-Based Ink
Aqueous- or water-based inks feature a high water content, which Michaelides says is “inherently beneficial in helping to reduce or eliminate VOCs as well as other substances of concern in the formulations compared to traditional solvent-based inks.”
Water-based inks, according to Dr. Chong, offer clear environmental and operational advantages. “Their low VOC profile supports improved indoor air quality and reduces the need for extensive solvent handling or ventilation infrastructure. Low toxicity makes them an excellent choice for packaging-related applications, including food packaging.”
Porous corrugated and other fiber-based packaging, in addition to point of purchase displays, benefit from water-based inks, as the lower VOC emissions support recyclability, points out Jeremic.
Non-porous substrates present challenges when printing with aqueous-based ink. “It requires costly specialist inks using sophisticated ink technologies, which are less practical in everyday use due to the added complexity of handling the ink in the ink system and drying it after application,” notes Jeremic.
“While substrate and drying considerations do need to be taken into account, when inks and printheads are engineered together, aqueous systems can deliver both sustainability benefits and exceptional image quality,” suggests Dr. Chong.
Eco-Solvent Ink
Eco-solvent inks are considered lower impact compared to traditional solvent systems, offering reduced VOC emissions.
“They produce a significantly lower odor than hexane-, dichloromethane-, or toluene-based formulations. This makes them far more pleasant to work with and reduces the likelihood of printed products carrying residual smells. Using naturally derived, processed eco-solvents, such as limonene or ethyl lactate, eco-solvent inks offer a practical route for companies seeking to reduce the environmental impact of their inks while maintaining print performance,” explains Jeremic.
Eco-solvent inks provide water fast durability for non-porous films and packaging, and are often used on outdoor banners and signage.
“However, because eco-solvent inks remain solvent-based, ventilation requirements and certain regulatory considerations may still apply. Additionally, recyclability outcomes may vary depending on binder chemistry and substrate pairing,” notes Dr. Chong.
Oil-Based Ink
Oil-based pigment ink, according to Heindl, is very advantageous for applications in the mailing space. “Once the ink is on paper, it becomes waterproof, and will not smudge if exposed to the elements. Addresses and barcodes remain legible and scannable, no matter how bad the weather gets, which increases the deliverability of that mail piece.”
Produced naturally, soy- and vegetable-based inks—considered oil-based—are inherently sustainable. “They typically have a lower carbon footprint, are biodegradable, and comply with food regulations. Plant oil-based inks are also known for their easy handling and high reliability in inkjet printing systems,” notes Jeremic.
When it comes to challenges with oil-based inks, Jeremic says dot gain can be an issue, as it is harder to control. “Substrate pretreatment can help, but depending on the coating or primer used, it might affect recyclability, making it an important trade off to consider. Durability and rub resistance can also be issues, but overall, if matched to the right application, oil-based inks are a very good, environmentally-friendly choice.”
UV Ink
Komori’s LED UV ink is easily recyclable and has no VOCs before, during, or after the curing process, notes Martin. “As always the inkjet print process has little to no waste per job. The LED lamps generate less heat and use less power, both make UV printing as a whole more environmentally friendly.”
Lose the Ink
The recycling of a printed graphic may include de-inking. De-inking processes are not standardized across the industry and vary regionally. Jeremic says there are three main processes commonly used—alkaline hot wash—using a heated alkaline solution, enzyme-based—using biological catalysts, and flotation—using air bubbles and surfactants.
Regardless of which of three main processes are used, Dr. Chong says de-inking is a critical component of paper and plastic recycling and an important consideration during ink formulation.
“From a materials perspective, inks are most receptive to de-inking when they detach cleanly from the fiber surface and form discrete particles that can be efficiently removed. Highly cross linked or strongly hydrophobic films can be more resistant to separation, which may complicate recovery under standard recycling conditions,” explains Dr. Chong.
Each ink formulation—aqueous, eco-solvent, oil, and UV—has trade-offs in de-inking performance. “Generally, inks that adhere strongly can be more difficult to remove, which can make the previously lauded high durability a challenge for recyclability,” notes Jeremic.
Aqueous ink features a formulation flexibility that supports cleaner detachment behavior, “especially when paired with appropriate primers and substrates,” believes Dr. Chong.
Water-based ink’s lack of water fastness does introduce challenges. “When water is used as the primary washing medium, pigments can dissolve into it, producing colored wash water that can stain or discolor recycled fibers, reducing recyclate quality. As modern water-based inks often contain extremely fine pigment particles to achieve high print quality or run faster, these particles can be difficult to remove and require repeated washing, increasing wastewater volumes,” explains Jeremic.
Solvent-based inks, including eco-solvent, tend to adhere strongly to substrates, making them difficult to remove, according to Jeremic.
Oil-based inks respond well to enzyme-based de-inking. “Enzyme-based de-inking is effective for fiber-based materials printed with oil-based inks because the enzymes can target the bonds between cellulose fibers and ink components,” says Jeremic.
Finally, Jeremic says UV-cured inks are among the more challenging to remove because of their highly cross linked, durable, and hydrophobic nature.
Dr. Chong admits that de-inking is not determined by ink alone. “The full print construction, including coatings, media, curing conditions, and finishing processes, influences recyclability outcomes.”
Cleaner Printing
Ink plays a pivotal role during the printing process, with emissions or lack of, as well as outgassing post print. Furthermore, the ink—and combination of media used—influences recyclability. Successful de-inking depends on the marriage of ink, adhesive, and media.
May2026, DPS Magazine
