FUSION Flexibles has invested £300,000 in a new environmental abatement system that the firm claims could potentially help double printing capacity and reduce its carbon footprint.
The Durr Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO) from Air Protekt replaces an older system at the flexible packaging specialist’s Leicester base. Fusion Flexibles said the system will reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from printing presses.
Lawrence Hopwood from Fusion Flexibles explained, “The installation of the new environmental abatement system means that our VOC emissions will be as low as possible and well inside the current legal limits. High specification ceramic media was installed within the RTO to help improve thermal efficiency. Once it reaches the required temperature it will become auto thermal with reduced fuel for operation as the VOCs are used to fuel the RTO.
“As well as reducing our carbon footprint, it will also potentially enable us to double printing capacity in the future.”
The project has been supported by David Gould, senior technical officer at Blaby District Council. He added, “Once the company identified that the previous abatement system no longer met requirements, they initiated a project to install suitable replacement technology.
“Fusion also took a number of steps to limit their emissions until a replacement system was in place. They have maintained good contact with me throughout the project, which has also been subject to planning permission and revisions to the company’s environmental permit.”
