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AI and ML can reduce the number minded individual, comfortable with
Safe and Sustainable by Design: Harnessing digitali- drying times to help reduce energy of experiments required to fi nd an ink both the chemical and technological –
use.
sation to accelerate the development of safer inks  Using packaging that reduces user formulation with the desired physi- whose role will be critical to the suc-
contact to the ink, with reusable or cal properties, i.e., reliable and precise cessful implementation of an effi cient,
recyclable options preferred.
drop placement, by up to 70%. AI can digitised R&D process. Using digital
nce upon a time, striking NATASHA JEREMIC Identifying digital tools to support also assist in identifying a new ink’s technologies, the ‘chemist of the
colours were the sole considera- Ink Development Manager, 
Otion when creating new paints Domino Printing Sciences formulation testing and develop- end-user properties, including adhe- future’ will be able to identify and
and dyes – with disastrous consequences www.domino-printing.com ment to reduce chemical contact sion, durability, colour, and appearance exclude substances that are more likely to
as arsenic and lead-based formula- and enhance employee safety. on the substrate, to optimise the ink be reclassifi ed – not only in the short
tions brought sickness and death to fac- ment of alternatives to hazardous sub- formulation for commercial printing. term but looking as far into the future
tories and homes. As Victorian as this stances. So, how does it impact ink Digitalisation in printing ink formu- as possible – pre-empt potential supply
sounds – it’s true that manufacturers developers, manufacturers, and end- lation As a next step, automation can issues, avoiding complex and costly
have not always scrutinised chemicals users? Digital tools identifi ed in the list offer further improvements to effi ciency reformulations at a later stage.
for their impact on people and the envi- above could include systems encom- at the experimentation stage. Mixing
ronment, with paints containing unsafe Embracing SSbD principles enables passing Artifi cial Intelligence (AI), robots can create formulations identi- Conclusion
levels of lead triggering toy recalls to ink developers and manufacturers to robotics, and automation, which when fi ed as ‘promising’ faster than manual To protect their brand customers,
this day. anticipate and mitigate the potential combined with the other SSbD princi- processes. Being able to conduct and end consumers, converters should
impact of reformulation and meet ples, can help ink manufacturers to ‘hands-off’ experiments frees up lab always look to partner with a well-
2007 saw the introduction of the evolving regulatory changes around speed up the identifi cation of new ink technicians’ time to consider future known and reputable ink supplier who
EU’s REACH regulation (Registration, sustainability. formulations, allowing for increased formulations. It also allows for higher invests in a future-oriented approach to
Evaluation, Authorisation and Restric- chemical testing, while minimising precision handling of materials and ink formulation and manufacture; or –
tion of Chemicals) aimed at protecting For a holistic view of all processes contact and risk to chemists. Digital cleaning fl uids, greatly reducing the even better – an equipment supplier
human and environmental health from pean Commission’s new Safe and Sus- involved in the formulation, manufac- technologies can signifi cantly support amount of chemicals used, the volume who develops and manufactures inks
the risks that can be posed by chemi- tainable by Design (SSbD) framework ture, and use of commercial printing safe and sustainable research and deve- of chemicals going to waste, and CO 2 in-house, with formulations developed
cals. REACH formalised procedures could enable ink developers to antici- inks, manufacturers must look beyond lopment of new ink formulations, emissions, making the process safer to deliver optimum print results within
for collecting and assessing informa- pate reclassifi cations, and, together their in-house processes and consider accelerating development tasks and and more sustainable. their inkjet presses.
tion on the properties and hazards of with digitalisation, accelerate develop- implications upstream, in the sourc- processes, and enabling faster supply
substances – an important fi rst step to ment cycles for safer inks. ing of materials, and downstream, in of improved safer ink formulations to Forward-looking ink manufacturers A partner that employs the SSbD
improving consumer and worker safety. disposal and recycling following use. end users. Technologies deployed to already embrace digital technologies to framework and invests strongly in the
Safe and Sustainable by Design Taking a balanced view across the life- enhance the ink formulation and manu- improve their ink formulation processes. latest digital technologies to enhance
Thanks to REACH data, the harmful In October 2020, the European cycle is important to ensure that gains facturing process include machine They are eager to reap the benefi ts of ink formulation and manufacturing
side effects of many substances previously Commission published its Chemicals in some areas don’t have repercussions learning and AI tools to identify target digitalisation in terms of time to market processes will be able to anticipate and
considered safe have been revealed. Strategy for Sustainability, as part of in others. formulations, and robotic and automa- for new formulations, sustainability be ready to pre-empt regulatory changes.
Substance reclassifi cations have acce- the EU’s zero pollution ambition and tion tools to accelerate development gains, and waste reduction. This foresight will ensure timely deli-
lerated – and will continue. The body of a key commitment of the European In practical terms, SSbD’s proposed while reducing cost, waste, and manual very of novel, compliant consumables
data collected is growing, bringing sub- Green Deal. The strategy aims to better assessment of all materials and processes labour. Leading the charge is the ‘chemist that will keep packaging print safe and
stances in both domestic and industrial protect citizens and the environment, regarding their impact on users and the of the future’– a tech-savvy, digitally- colourful in years to come.
settings under scrutiny – including sub- and boost innovation for safe and sus- environmentcould mean: Machine learning (ML) tools trained ABOUT DOMINO
stances and pigments key to the produc- tainable chemicals.  Avoiding the use of toxic and hazar- using proven and reliable data regard- Digital Printing Solutions is a division within Domino Printing Sciences.
tion of colourful printing inks. dous chemicals to minimise exposure ing existing ingredients, processes, and The company, founded in 1978, has established a global reputation for the
The SSbD framework builds on this throughout the product lifecycle, ink properties can identify relationships development and manufacture of digital inkjet printing technologies, as well
Reformulation demands have strategy. Whilst not yet mandated, this creating CMR-free ink formulations, and fi ll gaps. This automated, detailed as its worldwide aftermarket products and customer services. Its services for
become an everyday reality for ink deve- voluntary approach aims to guide the with only low emission of pollu- analysis might yield new formulations the commercial print sector include digital inkjet printers and control systems
lopers, who are working continuously to innovation process for chemicals and tants. that otherwise might not have been designed to deliver solutions for a complete range of labelling, corrugated, and

eliminate harmful substances – parti- materials across industries, protecting  Assessing materials used for their found or would have taken lengthy variable printing applications.
cularly those that have been re-classifi ed human health and the environment by impact on production employees human analysis to discover. AI can also
as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and repro- making products safer and more sus- and end-users, such as press opera- suggest potential substitutes for proble- Domino employs over 3,000 people worldwide and sells to more than 120
toxic (CMR) – from ink formulations, tainable. tors and maintenance personnel. matic substances and provide the capa- countries through a global network of 29 subsidiary offi ces and more than 200
as demanded by EuPIA standards.  Using raw materials from renew- bility to predict which new formula- distributors. Domino’s manufacturing facilities are located in China, Germany,
Crucially, the SSbD framework able sources, where possible. tions may be the most viable prospects India, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the USA.
This article explores how the Euro- promotes innovation in the develop-  Prioritising formulations with short for further lab-based experimentation.

188 Chemical Weekly November 12, 2024 Chemical Weekly November 12, 2024 189

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