2.D.3.h - Printing

This source category comprises NMVOC emissions from the use of solvent-based products during printing and in arts. The following technologies / applications / products are taken into consideration:

• Offset printing (coldset web presses)
• Sheetfed offset (conventional; UV colours)
• Offset printing (heatset)
• Endless offset printing
• Printing of books
• Flexography (solvent-based inks; water-based inks)
• Rotogravure package printing (solvent-based inks; water-based inks)
• Publication gravure printing
• Screen printing
• Other printing applications
• Inks / paints for artists
• Ink for writing and drawing

‘NMVOC’ is defined in accordance with the VOC definition found in the EC solvents directive. For purposes of the definition of solvents, the term ‘solvent use’ is also defined in accordance with the EC solvents directive.

NMVOC emissions are calculated in accordance with a product-consumption-oriented approach. In this approach, solvent-based products or solvents are allocated to the source category, and then the relevant NMVOC emissions are calculated from those solvent quantities via specific emission factors. Thus, the use of this method is possible with the following valid input figures for each product group:

• Quantities of VOC-containing (pre-) products and agents used in the report year,
• The VOC concentrations in these products (substances and preparations),
• The relevant application and emission conditions (or the resulting specific emission factor).

The quantity of the solvent-based (pre-)product corresponds to the domestic consumption which is the sum of domestic production plus import minus export.

The calculated NMVOC emissions of different product groups for a source category are then aggregated. The product / substance quantities used are determined at the product-group level with the help of production and foreign-trade statistics. Where possible, the so-determined domestic-consumption quantities are then further verified via cross-checking with industry statistics.

Solvent contents and emission factors for the different printing technologies are based on a study carried out in 1999 ¹⁾.

Since 1990, so the data, NMVOC emissions from use of solvents and solvent-containing products in general have decreased by nearly 55%.

The main emissions reductions have been achieved in the years since 1999. This successful reduction has occurred especially as a result of regulatory provisions such as the 31st Ordinance on the execution of the Federal Immissions Control Act (Ordinance on the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain facilities – 31. BImSchV), the 2nd such ordinance (Ordinance on the limitation of emissions of highly volatile halogenated organic compounds – 2. BImSchV) and the TA Luft.

Until 1999, data of the present source categories 2.D.3.a, 2.D.3.h and 2.D.3.i were treated as one source group. Since 2000, a more detailed data collection enables to follow the development of source group 2.D.3.h, which accounts for about 12-16% of total NMVOC emissions from solvent-based products. Emissions of this source group decreased among others due to minor application of isopropanol and more environmentally friendly technologies. Furthermore, the importance of single technologies changed (e.g. printing of books got less important, digital printing raises gained in importance), which influences total emissions of 2.D.3.h.

Emission factors: A relative error at ±15% was applied, but not exceeding 100% or falling below 0%.

Routinely, the NMVOC emissions of the last reported year must be actualized in the next reporting cycle as the final data of the foreign trade statistics are regularly only available after the publication of the respective reporting year has been completed.

For the year 2020, this adjustment is postponed to the submission 2024 because for some applications the calculation bases also have to be reviewed for further years and this review could not be completed in time for the 2023 reporting.

At the moment, no category-specific improvements are planned.