CHT Presents ecoprint Compostable Printing System – Excellent Technical Properties Lead to Outstanding Sustainable Printing Results
29 June 2023: CHT, a globally operating group of companies for specialty chemicals sees it as part of their responsibility to maximise the beneficial environmental footprint long the entire textile value chain. For this reason, they developed water-based printing pastes that contribute to textile products being able to reach the Cradle to Cradle® Platinum standard. As part of a ‘Biodegradable Textiles’ pilot project, they have developed an innovative compostable textile printing system – ecoprint by CHT – which is compliant with the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Platinum Standard.
The first compostable pigment printing system with Cradle to Cradle® Platinum level, ecoprint by CHT has excellent technical properties that lead to outstanding sustainable printing results. It is simply designed to be returned to earth.
Further and following DIN EN ISO 14855-1 standard, the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials was determined under controlled composting conditions by measuring evolution of organic carbon to carbon dioxide. Within 180 days (6 months), 77% of the total organic carbon was converted to carbon dioxide.
A standard defining requirements for textiles recoverable through composting and biodegradation is not available. When aligned with the target of 90% for evolution of the total organic carbon to carbon dioxide defined in the DIN EN ISO 13432:2000-12, a standard which defines such requirements for packaging, this specification is not met. However, the curve showed clearly that biodegradation was still ongoing.
Based on the positive definition of chemicals involved in the system, the Cradle to Cradle® assessor EPEA GmbH – part of Drees & Sommer who accompanied the development could conclude on an effective biological cyclability with ecoprint by CHT. The pigments and auxiliaries within this flyer have a Platinum Material Health Certificate from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute with the certification number 4323 (ecoprint by CHT).
Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) is a systemic approach to product design developed by Professor Michael Braungart and William McDonough. It aims to create products that are healthy and safe for humans and the environment in all phases: production, use and after-use. Within the C2C concept, products are developed according to the principles of an ideal circular economy. It is about eco-effectiveness and goes beyond conventional sustainability tools and approaches, which primarily show the negative influence of humans on the environment. Cradle to Cradle® follows the Triple Top Line as its basic approach and its implementation creates equal economic, social and ecological benefits.
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