Nagano, Japan, June 6, 2023
Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tomi-shi, Nagano Pref.; President: Kazuaki Ikeda), specializing in industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters and 3D printers, is to introduce "Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System" that achieves textile printing with minimum water use and simple printing process and will exhibit its technology at ITMA (Milan, Italy) the first in the world to promote the sustainable textile printing system that is environmentally friendly and easy for anyone to implement.
Currently, dye and pigment are used in dyeing natural fibers, and 2 billion tons of wastewater containing mixed chemical substances are generated every day in the pre- and post- dyeing processes worldwide, which accounts for about 20% of all industrial wasterwater *. Also, CO2 emissions from the operation of large-scale dyeing facilities lead to an environmental impact. In addition, the dyeing process is complicated in terms of equipment structure and process and requires technology and knowledge. Furthermore, since large scale dyeing facilities are used in major textile producing countries to ensure textile production, overseas transportation of textile products also emits CO2.
*based on our own research
Compared to conventional textile printing methods (analog and digital textile dye printing), the Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System we are announcing this time is a sustainable textile printing system that uses nearly zero water for printing, and can significantly reduce CO2 emissions due to the small scale of the printing system (Figures 1 and 2). The use of the transfer printing method makes the system smaller and more affordable than other printing methods (Figure 3), and allows small lot textile production to be implemented at the outside of major textile – producing countries, thus contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions from overseas transportation. We aim to expand the use of this system in a wide range of textile printing businesses.
Figure 1. Ratio of water consumption by textile printing methods
Figure 2. CO2 emission by textile printing methods - per 1m²
Figure 3. Printing facility comparison image by textile printing methods
The textile pigment transfer printing system is a system solution combining the following product elements.
- Textile Pigment Ink: bluesign®APPROVED (Scheduled to be certified in September 2023) – Certifies that the highest level of safety for workers and consumers and environmental friendliness
*bluesign: certification for products from sustainable supply chains within the textile and apparel industry. The certification program is administered by bluesign technologies ag, situated in Switzerland. - Textile Pigment Transfer paper: Special surface treatment contributes to high transfer efficiency and reduced ink consumption
- Transfer System: Use of European high quality transfer equipment that is developed for textile pigment transfer printing system
After conducting evaluation of each element of the above systems, in terms of compatibility of each element with each fiber material for apparel, house textile and soft-signage applications, we plan to launch the textile pigment transfer printing system in the fall of 2023.
Primary features of the Textile Pigment Transfer Printing System
- No fiber pre- and post- printing treatment is required, which reduces water consumption and Cos emission related to printing, thereby reducing environmental impact.
- No need for large-scale printing system or special technology. Small-scale printing system enable small-lot production of textiles in various parts of the world, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions from overseas transportation. Also, transfer printing system can be easily introduced without any special technology.
- bluesign®APPROVED (scheduled to be certified in September 2023) textile pigment ink, the product designed for workers and consumer safety and the environmental.
- Printable on variety of fabrics without changing ink types.
- High transfer efficiency of textile pigment transfer paper significantly reduces ink consumption.
Exhibition overview
Name: ITMA 2023 (International Textile Machinery Exhibition)
Exhibition Dates: Thursday, June 8 - Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Venue: Fiera Milano RHO (Milan, Italy)
Booth: H7-C304
About Mimaki Engineering
Mimaki Engineering develops, manufactures, sales, and maintains industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, 3D printers, inks, and software. By providing total solutions for the printing process for the sign graphics, industrial products, and textile apparel markets, we aim to be an innovator that constantly delivers "Something New, Something Different" to our customers.
Company/IR website: https://ir-eng.mimaki.com/
Product website: https://mimaki.com/
Contact
MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
Global Marketing Department
1628-1 Shigeno-Otsu, Tomi-city, Nagano 389-0512 JAPAN
Tel: +81-(0)268-80-0078 / Fax: +81-(0)268-80-0041