Ultra-Low-VOC Press Wash and Vegetable-Based Inks Help Print
Shops Run Lean and Green
Kennesaw, Ga. - In response to increasingly stringent
environmental regulations, many printers are taking steps to limit
their emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To help
printers achieve these lower limits, Heidelberg USA is pleased to
announce the Bio line of press consumables, including Saphira Bio
Press Wash and Saphira Bio Ink. The new products are the latest to
join Heidelberg's extensive line of competitively priced, premium
consumable products, as well as the most recent evidence of
Heidelberg's industry-leading dedication to sustainability.
"The introduction of Saphira Bio Press Wash and Saphira
Bio Ink underscores Heidelberg's commitment to conserving resources
while delivering products that consistently measure up to the
highest quality standards," said Ray Cassino, director of Prinect
and CtP product management. "Customers wanting to make the most
efficient, productive and profitable use of their Heidelberg
equipment without compromising their environmental sustainability
will want to take advantage of these additions to the Saphira
portfolio."
Saphira Bio Press Wash
Standard Press Wash products are major contributors to VOCs
in the pressroom. In contrast, new Heidelberg Saphira Bio Press
Wash is a vegetable ester-based product that contains less than 10
percent VOCs. Fully compliant with California Rule 1171, Saphira
Bio Press Wash achieves only 0.80 pounds per gallon of VOCs using
the required EPA Method 24 testing. Saphira Bio Press Wash can be
used by hand or in automatic press washing systems. Designed for
maximum cleaning ability, Saphira Bio Press Wash also contains a
surfactant that enhances ink-cutting performance. Like all Saphira
press washes, Heidelberg Bio Press Wash is formulated to meet
real-world pressroom requirements, and blended to meet strict
performance, health and safety benchmarks set by FOGRA. They also
are less susceptible to fire and health hazards than washes with
lower flashpoints, and will not damage press components.
Saphira Bio Ink
Developed specifically for use in sheetfed offset presses,
Saphira Bio Ink meets the demanding requirements of today's
environmentally responsible printer. Saphira Bio Ink combines
outstanding lithographic performance, press productivity, and print
quality with ultra-low VOC content-typically 2-3 percent by EPA
Method 24. Saphira Bio Ink also contains a high percentage of
bio-derived, renewable raw materials, and deliver robust
performance across a broad range of running conditions. The inks
also retain excellent color strength on coated or uncoated papers,
and are suitable for aqueous coating, off-line UV coating and
lamination. Finally, like all Saphira inks, Saphira Bio Ink can be
supplied with ICC profiles to help printers achieve the best
proof-to-print color match. Heidelberg Saphira Bio Ink has earned
the EcoLogoTM, North America's oldest and most trusted
environmental leadership certification mark.
Berkeley, CA-based Greenerprinter boasts a thoroughgoing
commitment to the environment that extends from its choice of
sustainably manufactured Heidelberg technology to its use of
environmentally friendly Heidelberg prepress and pressroom
consumables to ensure environmentally compliant production -
without incurring any compromise in quality.
"Heidelberg's new Saphira Bio products give us the best of
both worlds," said company president Mario Assadi. "Not only are
they lower in VOCs than traditional products, but they also protect
and promote the efficient performance of our Heidelberg equipment."
The company is also using Heidelberg's eco friendly Saphira Violet
Chem-free violet plates.
HEI on Green
Heidelberg entered the consumables market in 2001 and has
enjoyed double-digit growth every year since its inception. At
drupa 2008, the company consolidated all of its consumable
offerings under the Saphira brand name. Today, the Saphira line
includes a complete line of custom-blended chemistry; a full
portfolio of blankets; conventional and direct imaging plates;
matte and gloss aqueous coatings; proofing papers; inks for
Heidelberg' s Anicolor-equipped Speedmaster SM 52; as well as
process and Pantone inks for commercial lithography. Saphira
consumables have been tested and optimized by experts or developed
in close cooperation with suppliers specifically for use in
Heidelberg equipment, and are guaranteed to work as promised. The
value of using products optimized for Heidelberg presses can be
measured in a printer's ability to make the most efficient use of
his Heidelberg equipment job after job for the life of the press -
without incurring the degradation of performance linked to less
compatible consumables. Heidelberg also offers its customers expert
advice in choosing the right consumables for their needs. All
Saphira products comply with the latest industry environmental
standards, which play a key role in the development of all products
and solutions marketed by Heidelberg.
Eighty percent of those who buy Saphira consumables prefer to
purchase them through the convenience of Web-enabled, 24/7,
one-stop shopping from the Heidelberg Online Shop. Customer
representatives are available to assist with product selection, and
most orders can be shipped within two days. To learn more or to set
up an account, visit
www.us.heidelberg.com or
call 888-472-9655.
To learn more about Heidelberg's green initiatives and the
impact that sustainable printing can have on your business, visit
http://www.us.heidelberg.com/eco.