The New CleanStar from Heidelberg Ensures Clean Air in the Pressroom

Easy compliance with more stringent ammonia and dust limits

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Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is launching a new generation of CleanStar process air extractors that complies easily with the low occupational exposure limits for ammonia and dust set by the EU. The new CleanStar is now available for the Speedmaster XL 105 and CD 102 press series. It will be launched for the Speedmaster SM 102 before the end of the year.

Germany is one of the first EU member states to implement the European limits into national law. Thus, the previous limit for ammonia has been reduced from 35 mg/m3 to 14 mg/m3. The other EU member states will follow suit. The United States, China and Australia have imposed similar restrictions on ammonia emissions.

Ammonia, which is used as a reactant for the resins in dispersion coatings, is released during the drying of coatings and produces a mildly pungent odor. Detailed measuring series show that ammonia concentrations of 20 mg/m3 and more are produced in the vicinity of a press. In contrast to this, measurements of ammonia at a Speedmaster CD 102-5+LX and a Speedmaster XL 105-6+L, both of them equipped with the new CleanStar, showed readings far below 10 mg/m3 of ammonia.

Less powder means a healthier environment for printers
Not only does the CleanStar reduce the ammonia content in the air but also dust levels in the vicinity of the press. What’s more, there is much less soiling of the press and pressroom. Measurements showed a maximum of 0.2 mg/m3 of dust in the vicinity of the delivery, well below the current limit of 10 mg/m3. This is only possible because the new CleanStar extracts powder dust and ammonia on all four sides of the delivery pile. The CleanStar’s design means it does not have any negative impact on powder application or sheet travel. The new closed delivery air system in the delivery helps to prevent powder lumps from forming and falling on the pile.

Heidelberg drives "eco printing"
Environmental protection has been an integral part of Heidelberg company policy since 1992. In 1996, the foundry in Amstetten was the very first press manufacturing site to be granted an eco-certificate. Environmental management systems in accordance with ISO 14001 are now in place and certified at all sheetfed offset production locations. Besides its own production, the company focuses on developing innovative, environmentally friendly presses. For example, the new Speedmaster XL 105 has increased productivity by 30 percent with the same, and in some cases even less, energy consumption. Key components of the Star System also reduce the environmental impacts of the printing process. The PowderStar AP 500 ensures lower powder application amounts and dust levels, the AirStar air supply system reduces energy consumption by 30 to 50 percent, and the new DryStar dryers achieve significantly enhanced performance with the same energy consumption.

Further information für journalists:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Hilde Weisser
Tel..: +49 (0)6221 92 50 66
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 69
E-mail: hilde.weisser@heidelberg.com