Investigation of the utilization potential of digital ink wastes from the ceramic tile industry on ceramic surfaces

This study investigates the recovery and reuse potential of dye wastes generated in digital inkjet printing technologies within ceramic tile production. The primary objective is to enable the recycling of pigments discarded during the printing process and thereby contribute to the ceramic tile industry both economically and environmentally. Within the scope of the research, waste pigments obtained from the production process were separated from their solvents and subsequently mixed in specific ratios with various solvents, including gasoline, cellulose thinner, synthetic thinner, diesel, and water. The prepared pigment–solvent mixtures were applied to pressed tablets of different weights and fired at high temperatures in an industrial kiln. Experimental results revealed that surface color intensity, homogeneity, smoothness, and durability varied depending on the type and ratio of solvent used. Notably, mixtures prepared with gasoline and synthetic thinner exhibited more homogeneous distribution and produced smoother surfaces. The findings demonstrate that the reuse of waste pigments in ceramic production is feasible, providing significant benefits not only in reducing raw material costs but also in improving waste management practices. The application process in this study was limited to pigments sourced from a single supplier. Therefore, future comparative analyses using pigments from different suppliers are expected to offer a broader perspective to the industry. In conclusion, this research serves as a reference for upcycling practices in the ceramic sector and lays the groundwork for future large-scale studies aligned with sustainable production goals.