DEINKING OF XEROGRAPHIC PRINTS ASSISTED BY STEAM-EXPLOSION - STUDY SHOWS HIGH-EFFICIENCY WHEN COUPLED WITH MAGNETIC DEINKING

The high efficiency of magnetic deinking associated with the steam exp losion technique for laser printed alkaline paper is demonstrated in t his study. The large toner particles are easily and completely separat ed and the proportion of remaining small particles is low. The evaluat ion of the physical properties of standard handsheets made from the st eam-exploded deinked pulp displays a loss in the optical and mechanica l characteristics of the fibres as compared to the untreated paper.