Trioworld turns flexographic printing exhaust air into biogas using industrial-scale ‘Boncus’ technology

The "Boncus"-Installation at Trioworld Harlingen with a large Pure Infinity logo on the side of it - (Photo: Trioworld).

Packaging film manufacturer Trioworld has commissioned a plant for energy recovery from solvent-laden exhaust air generated by flexographic printing at its production site in Harlingen, the Netherlands, in cooperation with Pure Infinity. The installation uses the "Boncus" process developed by Pure Infinity and, according to the companies, represents the world's first industrial-scale application of its kind in flexographic printing. By using the biogas produced, the plant aims to reduce its external energy requirements by up to 75 percent.

Technical process
At the Harlingen site, several million metres of packaging film are printed every day using flexographic printing, including films for frozen food products and other consumer goods. During printing and ink drying, solvents are released into the process exhaust air. "Boncus" combines exhaust air scrubbing with an anaerobic biological process. The solvents captured from the exhaust air are converted into methane-rich biogas, which can subsequently be used to generate electricity and heat at the plant.

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Unlike conventional thermal exhaust air treatment, in which solvents are oxidised, this process recovers part of their energy content. This is expected to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and the associated CO₂ emissions. The stated reduction in external energy requirements of up to 75 percent is a target figure; the announcement does not provide any measured operating results.

Development, financing and commissioning
According to Pure Infinity, developing a "Boncus" plant suitable for industrial use took more than ten years. The process combines two technologies that are already used in other industrial sectors. The Harlingen installation serves as an industrial-scale reference plant for potential further applications in production processes involving solvent-laden exhaust air.

The project received financial support from the Frisian energy fund Fûns Skjinne Fryske Enerzjy, the investment platform Enerfip and the European Union. According to the companies, the project received the highest possible rating for its degree of innovation under the European Innovation Fund. The official opening took place on 23 October 2026 and was conducted by Harlingen's mayor, Ina Sjerps.

Trioworld Harlingen B.V. is part of the Swedish Trioworld Group. Pure Infinity, based in Dwingeloo in the Netherlands, specialises in biological processes for industrial exhaust air treatment.

The industrial-scale conversion of solvent-laden exhaust air into biogas is particularly relevant for manufacturers of flexible plastic packaging and flexographic printing companies. The technology offers an approach to reducing external energy requirements and production-related emissions. However, the announcement does not provide information on investment costs, actual plant performance or payback periods, making an economic assessment difficult.

More information:
www.trioworld.com, www.trioworld.nl, www.pureinfinity.nl, www.enerfip.eu, www.fsfe.frl

Trioworld Harlingen B.V., Harlingen, The Netherlands

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