Investigating the printability of enzyme deinking electrophotograpic printed paper

Because of increasing in consumption of digital printers in home and office uses it is important to recycle these papers in a green and sustainable way. Enzyme deinking is an eco-friendly and effective deinking method. In this paper enzyme deinking of electrophotography papers done with commercial cellulose, cellusoft CR supplied from Novozymes Company. The enzyme was applied in three doses including 2.5, 0.25, and 0.025 U on 15 g recycled oven dry pulp prepared from printed paper. Reaction temperature and time were used at of 30, 45, 60 ˚C and 15, 60, 120 min, respectively.15 treatments were intended for this study. Washing and floatation of pulp carried out after enzyme treatment and then optical properties and reprinting of handsheet was evaluated. Measurement of CIE L*a*b*, reflection and optical density showed that printability and print quality after enzyme deinking is acceptable. Measurement of CIE L*a*b*, reflection and optical density showed that printability and print quality after enzyme deinking is acceptable.