COMPANY NAME Isuschem Srl
COUNTRY Italy
SECTOR Digital/Construction (Green Chemistry)
CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL Recovery and Recycling
CHALLENGE
The printing industry still relies heavily on fossil-based solvents and raw materials, while waste oils remain an underused secondary resource. Isuschem’s challenge was to demonstrate that waste-derived feedstocks can be converted into high-performance bio-based solvents suitable for printing inks and varnishes, without compromising technical performance, formulation stability or regulatory compliance. The project also needed to provide robust environmental evidence to support the transition from a linear, fossil-based model to a circular and lower-impact value chain.
SOLUTION
Through the Up2Circ project, Isuschem developed the RenewInk 5000 approach, valorising waste oils as feedstock for the production of bio-based solvent molecules. The new solvents were integrated into ink and varnish formulations and assessed through performance validation, formulation optimisation and regulatory compliance activities. The work combined chemical innovation with life-cycle thinking, enabling the selection of formulations that meet application requirements while reducing dependence on virgin fossil resources.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGIES/BUSINESS MODEL IMPLEMENTED
The business model is based on waste valorisation and feedstock substitution: waste oils are transformed into higher-value chemical intermediates and solvents that can replace conventional fossil-based components. Key circular strategies include the use of secondary raw materials, cascading value creation from waste streams, eco-design of formulations, resource-efficiency improvement and LCA-driven decision-making. This creates a circular link between waste management, green chemistry and the printing-ink value chain.
IMPACT
The project demonstrated a clear environmental benefit for the new circular formulations. Life Cycle Assessment showed improvements in 16 of 18 assessed impact categories compared with the reference solution. The approach reduces the use of virgin fossil feedstocks, creates value from waste oils and supports the market uptake of bio-based solvents in printing applications. The results contribute particularly to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
KEY TAKEAWAY
Circular chemistry can turn a low-value waste stream into a functional, market-relevant raw material. RenewInk 5000 shows that replacing fossil-based solvents with waste-derived bio-based alternatives can combine technical performance, regulatory readiness and measurable environmental improvement, providing a scalable pathway for more circular printing inks and varnishes.