BECASOLV

Solvent-Based Plate Processing Washout Solvent

BECASOLV is a balanced solvent blend developed for the efficient washout of solvent-processable photopolymer plates. Its universal formulation makes it suitable for virtually all types of photopolymer printing plates and compatible with plate processing equipment available on the market, including rotary, inline, closed-loop and recirculation systems.

Key Features

• Universal Compatibility: Suitable for virtually all solvent-processable photopolymer plates.
• Chlorinated Hydrocarbon-Free: Does not contain chlorinated hydrocarbons.
• Efficient Processing: Provides short washout times for productive plate processing.
• Low Odor: Leaves processed plates clean and free from residual solvent odor.
• High Flash Point: Flash point above 62°C and classified as a non-ADR product.
• Clean Plate Surface: Helps leave plates free from stains and impurities.
• Easy Solvent Recovery: Used BECASOLV can be recovered using standard vacuum distillation equipment.
• No Additives Required: After distillation, the recovered solvent can be mixed directly with fresh BECASOLV without additional balancing additives.

Recommended Processing Conditions

The standard washout temperature is 30°C ± 2°C. Before regular production, preliminary washout tests are recommended according to the type of photopolymer plate, processing temperature, processing time and brush pressure.

The recommended drying time is 1–3 hours at 60°C, depending on plate thickness. The drying temperature should not exceed 65°C.

For optimum performance, it is recommended to regenerate the washout solution approximately every 10–15 litres per m² of plate surface per mm of plate thickness.

Recovery and Recycling

BECASOLV can be efficiently recovered after use through vacuum distillation. A higher vacuum reduces the solvent's distillation temperature and supports faster recovery.

Typical solvent recovery is approximately 80–90%. After distillation, no adjustment or rebalancing of the recovered material is required; approximately 10–20% fresh BECASOLV should be added to compensate for process losses.

The quality of the regenerated solvent can be checked with a refractometer. For optimum performance, the regenerated product should have a Brix value of 67 ± 2.

Solid Content Control

The actual solid content in the processor can be determined by measuring flow time with a DIN 53211 viscosity cup (2 mm).

Applications

BECASOLV is designed for solvent-based photopolymer plate processing and can be used with:

• Rotary plate processing systems
• Inline plate processing systems
• Closed-loop systems
• Recirculation systems

Its universal compatibility, efficient washout performance and recoverability make BECASOLV a practical solution for professional flexographic plate processing.