Abstract
Conventional metal printing operations, utilize solvent based, or solvent-containing, ink and varnishes in conjunction with thermal curing. An alternative technology exists for printing cans which utilizes ultraviolet light curing of nonsolvent based coatings. The Coors Brewing Company Can Manufacturing Plant has been utilizing this technology in full scale aluminum can production since 1975, and therefore has had the opportunity to evaluate practical operations of the UV technology in comparison to the conventional thermal technology. The Coors plant is currently the only plant in the country using the UV technology. Significant pollution prevention gains are provided by this technology, as well as additional associated significant benefits in cost savings, energy conservation and practical operation.
Donhowe, E. T. (1994). UV Curable Coatings in Aluminum Can Production. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu). Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /91842.