Alcohol Elimination Fount has been developed at Bousfields Dutch press chemistry factory. It uses higher molecular weight alcohols that dont evaporate and therefore arent hazardous VOCs.

Its taken us years to find this and its a very clever piece of chemistry, said technical director Avon Joyce. Its the first step change in fount formulation since IPA [isopropyl alcohol], and thats 15 years ago.

The fount was developed for the Japanese market where the ink formulations are slightly different, but in tests at a UK printer it went like a dream.

The print is sharper and brighter.This fount will cost slightly more for a bottle, but will improve the bottom line. It will mean savings in IPA, and in nasties in the air and down the sink, Joyce added.