Transforming Sludge from Intaglio Printing into Green Alternative

The production of a million banknotes (or one shift of an intaglio printing line) produces 100 kg of intaglio ‘sludge’. Sludge is frequently sent to landfill because of its contamination in the process used to extract it from the printing process.

Biobanknote, the Colombian-based developed of solutions to turn banknotes and banknote waste into compost, has developed a new organic treatment that allows printing works to convert contaminated sludge safely and within national standards into an alternative capable of enhancing soil.

The intaglio printing process

Intaglio printing, which produces the relief print and unique feel of a banknote, presses the substrate against a metallic plate into which the banknote’s image has been engraved. The engraving is filled with ink. Before that ink can be transferred to the substrate, any excess must be removed.