LIFE REPLAY is progressing towards circular ceramic inkjet inks
Castellón, 05/05/2023.
On May 5th, the Institute for Ceramic Technology (ITC-AICE) hosted a follow-up meeting of the European project LIFE REPLAY, funded by the European Commission through the LIFE programme (GA nº LIFE20 ENV/ES000115). It was reported that within the framework of this project a first ceramic ink has been obtained from the waste separated using the prototype built by the company NEPTURY TECHNOLOGIES, member of the consortium. It is a black ink, suitable for digital printing (i.e., inkjet) of ceramic tiles.
During the meeting, the progress of the project was reviewed, as the prototype for separating inkjet ceramic ink waste is still in commissioning and fine-tuning phase, in order to optimize the process and to ensure the quality of the separated elements, which will be used to manufacture new and more environmentally friendly ceramic products.
In this way, LIFE REPLAY gives a new life to ceramic inks and is aligned with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals: GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and GOAL 13: Climate Action.
About LIFE REPLAY:
LIFE REPLAY aims to demonstrate that waste ceramic inkjet inks can be reintroduced into the industrial ceramic process by means of a specific separation process that meets industrial requirements
Its main objectives are to reach a more sustainable ceramic process and to reduce waste disposal costs, in line with the principles of the Circular Economy. LIFE REPLAY aims to separate two types of compounds: on the one hand, solid compounds based on heavy metals, and on the other hand, organic solvents. Both components will be reintroduced into the production process of ceramic tiles, inkjet inks and pigments. Thus, the project will demonstrate the feasibility of using inkjet ink waste as a new raw material for the ceramic industry, transforming it into an alternative source of pigment and solvent that is not only environmentally friendly but also economically profitable.
LIFE REPLAY is coordinated by the Institute for Ceramic Technology (ITC-AICE) with the participation of the companies: KEROS CERAMICA, S.L., NEPTURY TECHNOLOGIES, S.L, AKCOAT RECUBRIMIENTOS QUÍMICOS ESPECIALIZADOS S.L.U and CTR Centro de Tratamiento de Residuos del Mediterráneo SL.
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