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EVALUATION OF BARRIERS TO THE USE OF RADIATION-CURED COATINGS IN CAN MANUFACTURING
Citation:
McMinn, B. AND S. Church. EVALUATION OF BARRIERS TO THE USE OF RADIATION-CURED COATINGS IN CAN MANUFACTURING. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/R-95/063 (NTIS 95-215810), 1995.
Impact/Purpose:
information
Description:
The report gives results of a study to investigate and identify the technical, educational, and economic barriers to the use and implementation of radiation-cured coatings in can manufacturing. The study is part of an EPA investigation of current industrial use and barriers to the extended use of radiation-cured coatings in Source Reduction Review Project and maximum achievable control technology standards development categories. Among the important barriers were: (1) an applied wet film thickness of >120 mg per can of ultraviolet (UV)-curable overvarnish needed on most trial runs; (2) lower than expected energy savings; (3) inadequate cure of overvarnish; and (4) ink "pick off" during wet-on-wet application of the overvarnish to the inks. The report suggests projects that could be of help in overcoming technical, educational, and economic barriers identified. Among the opportunities discussed were: (1) setting up a trial with a can manufacturer who is interested in using UV-curable inks and coatings; (2) conducting research on cationic inks and coatings, which have been billed as the next generation of UV-curable inks and coatings; and (3) working with Radtech, the trade association representing the radiation-curable coatings industry, to develop a UV-curable coating that could be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for direct contact with food.
