Emissions

Hemlock’s focus on the environment reaches into all corners of its facilities. Lithographic printing produces waste liquids and vapors from the use of press cleaning solvents, plate processing, waste inks and coatings, and print drying. Presses, plants and offices use electricity, and of course, the printing process uses paper.

Print Process Emissions
Hemlock has long researched and implemented ways to reduce the quantity and potential harm of wastes produced in the printing process and other activities at our plant(s). Our inks and solvents are the least evaporable possible, and our plant has been isopropyl alcohol-free since 1988, reducing our impact on local air quality and worker health. A 2008 investment in advanced filtering technology will allow over dampening solution to be reused indefinitely, conserving water and reducing disposed liquids by over 90%.

Ink-related Emissions
Hemlock stocks vegetable-based low VOC inks, with the lowest VOC vegetable-based inks available on request. At most, about 1% of inks and coatings are ever emitted to the air as evaporated VOC, due to the properties of our processes. Leftover inks are minimized through just in time ordering, and by blending scraps of ink into new colours. A licensed industrial waste handler contracted by the manufacturer recycles dried waste ink scraps.

For information about Hemlock’s emissions to landfill, see the Recycling & Reuse heading.